Connacht welcome Munster to the Showgrounds on New Year’s Day for their PRO12 derby match and both sides have made a number of changes to their starting sides.

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made seven changes, with Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion and Rodney Ah You all returning from international duty.

All Black Mils Muliaina starts the game at full-back with Danie Poolman on his left wing and Darragh Leader moved to the right.

Henshaw starts at outside centre with Bundee Aki starting at 12 alongside him, and Craig Donaldson playing at out-half.

In the front row Tom McCartney starts at hooker, with Denis Buckley named at loosehead prop and Ah You at tighthead.

Rodney Ah You starts for Connacht

Aly Muldowney is joined by Quinn Roux in the second row, while in the back row Eoin McKeon returns to number eight with John Muldoon and Willie Faloon on the flanks.

Munster also welcome back three international players and make five changes from the side that beat Leinster last weekend.

In the front row BJ Botha is joined by John Ryan and Duncan Casey, while in the second row Paul O'Connell returns from the Ireland camp to pair up with Billy Holland.

Also returning is captain Peter O'Mahony, who starts at blindside. He replaces CJ Stander who makes the positional switch to eight with Tommy O'Donnell starting again openside flanker.

The changes to the backline see JJ Hanrahan start at inside centre once again while Simon Zebo starts at fullback for the first time this season.

"It's been six years since we've beaten Munster and only once in the last 41 meetings,” Lam said at the team announcement. “We know how big a test this is.

“It's going to be a very special atmosphere at a sold out Sportsground and like our supporters, we are all massively excited for this game."

The match is at the Sportsground on New Year's Day and is completely sold-out. Kick-off 5pm.

Connacht team in full: Mils Muliaina Darragh Leader Robbie Henshaw Bundee Aki Danie Poolman. Craig Ronaldson. Kieran Marmion. Denis Buckley Tom McCartney Rodney Ah You Quinn Roux Aly Muldowney John Muldoon (captain) Willie Faloon. Eoin McKeon

Replacements: Dave Heffernan JP Cooney Finlay Bealham Ultan Dillane George Naoupu John Cooney Miah Nikora Dave McSharry

Munster team in full: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Pat Howard, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O'Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony Capt., Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, Dave O'Callaghan, Neil Cronin, Rory Scannell, Ivan Dineen.