Pete Wilkins: 'The implications of a win or loss against Ulster are obvious'

Connacht have only won one of their last five league games and didn’t pick up a single bonus point in their last two outings at home to the Bulls and away to Leinster last weekend.

“It’s a huge game,” said Wilkins. “In the context of our season it's massive. To not have taken even that point at the end away from the Leinster game, the Bulls result, this game is hugely significant in terms of what happens with the URC table and where we put ourselves in the conversation.

“That doesn’t put any added pressure on the players, I think they’re really realistic about the challenges there, but the implications of a win or a loss in this game are obvious.

“I think to come out of that Leinster game with the performance, albeit the lack of reward, the important bit is that we take that momentum and belief through to this weekend,” added Wilkins ahead of a clash at Dexcom Stadium (7.35pm) where Ulster have won 32 of the 45 league games between the sides, with Connacht winning a dozen.

Wilkins has made three changes from the side which returned from the Aviva Stadium without a point after a frustrating encounter with a depleted Leinster side.

Argentine international Santiago Cordero comes in on the left wing with Shane Jennings dropping to the bench.

Josh Ioane, the first choice out-half this season after arriving from the Chiefs during the summer as cover for the injured JJ Hanrahan, is out after undergoing another HIA.

Jack Carty, man of the match in the Challenge Cup win over Perpignan but not included in the match 23 for the clash with Leinster, is recalled for only his fifth game this season.

They have won three of the four games he has played this season and Connacht fans will hope that his partnership with Caolin Blade — they have played 417 games between them — will steer them to victory.

Blade is recalled in place of Ben Murphy, who is on the bench for a clash against an Ulster side coached by his dad Richie and with his brother Jack at out-half.

Jack Murphy made his Ulster debut off the bench last weekend and gets his first start as they bid to end their five-match losing run.

“It’s more of a sideshow for my wife. She's the one that has to deal with all three of us,” said Ulster coach Richie. This time last year, the four of us were sitting in Bray. Ben was at Leinster, Jack was getting ready for the Irish U-20s. Our whole lives have changed very quickly.”

Another academy player, winger Rory Telfer also makes his first start after a couple of cameos off the bench, while academy centre Wilhelm De Klerk is set for his debut off the bench.

In all, Murphy has made nine changes to the side which lost 22-19 to Munster despite having 70% possession.

Four of the changes are at the back. Ben Carson comes in for the injured Stuart McCloskey in the centre, with Telfer taking over from Zac Ward on the wing. Nathan Doak replaces John Cooney at scrum-half and will partner Murphy.

Up front Eric O’Sullivan replaces Andrew Warwick at loosehead and Scott Wilson replaces Tom O’Toole on the other side. Cormac Izuchukwu comes in for Kieran Treadwell in the second row, while Matty Rea starts instead of brother Marcus in a back row where Nick Timoney also comes in for Dave McCann.

CONNACHT: P O’Conor; M Hansen, C Forde, B Aki, S Cordero; J Carty, C Blade; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, D Murray; C Prendergast (c), S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle. Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, P Dooley, J Aungier, O Dowling, S Jansen, B Murphy, S Jennings, C Oliver.

ULSTER: M Lowry, W Kok, B Carson, J Postlethwaite, R Telfer, J Murphy, N Doak; E O’Sullivan, R Herring, S Wilson, A O’Connor (C), C Izuchukwu, M Rea, N Timoney, J McNabney Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, C Barrett, K Treadwell, D McCann, J Cooney, A Morgan, W De Klerk.

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland).