The 30-year-old could add to his 34 appearances in European competitions when Connacht host Stade Français Paris in their Heineken Champions Cup Pool B opener on December 12.

Summer signing Shayne Bolton is in line to make his Connacht debut against Ospreys – he forms a centre partnership with Sammy Arnold.

Full-back Oran McNulty is handed his first start for the club, while winger Alex Wootton will feature for the first time this season.

Dan Evans starts at full-back for Ospreys and partners with Max Nagy and Luke Morgan in a new-look back three.

In Friday’s Gallagher Premiership games, there are further all-Heineken Champions Cup match-ups as Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears welcome Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints respectively.

Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer returns to the starting XV after an injury lay-off, while prop Will Stuart, lock Charlie Ewels and flanker Sam Underhill are all back from international duty with England.

Exeter are also boosted by returning international players, with England centre Henry Slade, flanker Dave Ewers and No.8 Sam Simmonds coming into the side, along with Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg and lock Sam Skinner.

Lock Chris Vui returns for Bristol, while Northampton have brought in eight internationals, including England flanker Courtney Lawes and Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.

Meanwhile, Wasps have included winger Marcus Watson and flanker Thomas Young for the visit of EPCR Challenge Cup side Gloucester Rugby.

Hooker Dave Heffernan is set to make his 150th appearance for Connacht Rugby as they entertain fellow Heineken Champions Cup side Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.