Return of the Mack: Hansen back in Connacht team for clash with Ulster

Hansen has been named to start at full-back, which is a huge boost for Connacht after the Ireland star was forced off injured in the Champions Cup defeat to Bordeaux a fortnight ago.

Initial fears over the severity of the foot issue were allayed, and Hansen has now been deemed fit enough to feature in what is a huge game for Connacht.

Hansen is one of seven seven changes to the team that lost to Saracens last weekend, the Westerners fourth defeat on the bounce.

The front-row is freshened up with Denis Buckley, Tadgh McElroy and Finlay Bealham coming in.

Joe Joyce partners Darragh Murray in the second-row while Shamus Hurley-Langton and Sean O'Brien come into the back-row alongside Cian Prendergast.

Hansen is joined in the back-three by Shayne Bolton and Byron Ralston, with Bundee Aki continuing in midfield, with Tom Farrell drafted in.

Captain Jack Carty keeps his place in the team, as does Caolin Blade, who makes up the half-back partnership.

“Interpro weeks always create a special buzz around the Connacht squad, and an away game in Belfast is no different,” head coach Pete Wilkins said.

“Ulster will be high on confidence after their European win last week and will be relishing another game at home, but we are fully aware of what it takes to compete against them in that environment and everyone is looking forward to the game.

“We have selected a matchday 23 that has enough consistency to build on the positives within our Saracens performance, whilst providing enough freshness to deliver the type of energy and physicality that plays such an important role in these types of encounters.”

Meanwhile, Dan McFarland has handed Jake Flannery a start at out-half, with Billy Burns dropping to the Ulster bench.

In a changed pack, Andy Warwick starts at loosehead, with Tom Stewart and Marty Moore making up the front-row. Tomorrow is set to be Moore’s first start since sustaining a knee injury against Munster on New Year’s Day.

Ulster – M Lowry; R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; J Flannery, J Cooney; A Warwick, T Stewart, M Moore; K Treadwell, I Henderson (capt); M Rea, S Reffell, N Timoney. Reps: J Andrew, S Kitshoff, T O’Toole, A O’Connor, D Ewers, N Doak, J Postlethwaite, W Addison.

Connacht – M Hansen; S Bolton, T Farrell, B Aki, B Ralston; J Carty (capt), C Blade; D Buckley, T McElroy, F Bealham, D Murray, J Joyce; C Prendergast, S Hurley-Langton, S O'Brien. Reps: D Heffernan, P Dooley, J Aungier, G Thornbury, C Oliver, M McDonald, JJ Hanrahan, S Jennings.

Ref: E Cross (Ireland)