agreeing a two-year contract extension<\/a>.<\/p>\nIzuchukwu replaces Charlie Irvine in the second row for the Dexcom Stadium encounter and will partner Harry Sheridan, who will make his 50th appearance for the province.<\/p>\n
Sam Crean and Scott Wilson come in at loose-head and tight-head prop respectively, with Tom Stewart retaining his position at hooker.<\/p>\n
In the half-backs, scrum-half Conor McKee makes his first interprovincial start alongside fly-half Jack Murphy.<\/p>\n
The two changes in the back division see Zac Ward start on the left flank and James Hume return to join Stuart McCloskey in forming the centre partnership.<\/p>\n
In-form wing Werner Kok starts on the right wing after scoring two tries against Leinster, as Jacob Stockdale is retained at full-back.<\/p>\n
David McCann, Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus make up the back row.<\/p>\n
The back-line replacements are Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite, while the forward options on the bench are John Andrew, Angus Bell, Tom O’Toole, Joe Hopes and Bryn Ward.<\/p>\n
Ulster go into the Christmas period in fifth position in the table after winning four and losing two of their URC matches to date.<\/p>\n
Richie Murphy’s side will complete a trio of Irish interprovincials when they host Munster in Belfast on 2 January.<\/p>\n
Connacht: <\/b>Gilbert; Ryan, Forde, Aki, Treacy; Carty, B Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham; Joyce, O’Connor; J Murphy, Prendergast, Jansen.<\/p>\n
Replacements:<\/i> <\/b><\/i>Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Barrett, Murray, O’Brien, Devine, Ioane, Gavin.<\/p>\n
Ulster:<\/b> Stockdale; Kok, Hume, McCloskey, Z Ward; Crean, Stewart, Wilson; Sheridan, Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.<\/p>\n
Replacements: <\/i>Andrew, Bell, O’Toole, Hopes, B Ward, Doak, Flannery, Postlethwaite.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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