| There is an all new centre partnership as Captain Mark McHugh and John Hearty team up in place of Gavin Williams and Daniel Riordan, with Riordan being named amongst the replacements along with Peter Durcan.
Stephen Knoop has recovered from his hamstring injury to start in place of Ray Hogan, who takes the place of Brett Sturgess on the bench while Michael Swift partners Andrew Farley in the second row for the first time since Connacht played Bath in the European Challenge Cup on 12th January. Swift starts in place of David Gannon who picked up a calf injury in training, with Swift's place among the replacements being taken by Ryan Strudwick.
Andrew Browne is named in the Connacht squad for the first time among the replacements. Browne, who was a key member of the Ireland U20 side which won a grand slam of matches in the U20 Six Nations this year, is the brother of Northampton Saints and former Connacht second row, Damian.
Connacht have announced a special offer family ticket for this Saturday's match. The ticket, at a cost of €25, covers admission for two adults and two children to the game. Normally tickets cost €15 each or alternatively €20 for the enclosed stand, while students and OAPs are €10, with children being admitted for €5.
Tickets are available from the Connacht Branch on (091) 561 568 or alternatively from www.ticketmaster.ie.
Connacht team (v Cardiff Blues):
Gavin Duffy; Darren Yapp, John Hearty, Mark McHugh(C), Conor McPhillips; Paul Warwick, Chris Keane; Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Stephen Knoop; Michael Swift, Andrew Farley; John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Colm Rigney.
Replacements: John Fogarty, Ray Hogan, Ryan Strudwick, Andrew Browne, Peter Durcan, David Slemen, Daniel Riordan.
Not considered due to injury: Keith Matthews (knee), Ronan Loughney (knee), Brendan O'Connor (arm), Conor O'Loughlin (hip), Ted Robinson (hamstring), Tom Tierney (ankle), Gavin Williams (hamstring).
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