Westmeath lock Niall Murray also comes into the pack.
Jack Carty and Finlay Bealham will both make their 150th Connacht appearances in the Guinness Pro14 trip to Dragons on Friday evening.
There are four changes in the pack where Shane Delahunt, Athlone lock, 22 year-old Niall Murray and Gavin Thornbury all start, while Abraham Papali’i replaces Jarrad Butler.
Caolin Blade and Carty form a new-look half-back partnership while Matt Healy comes in on the wing in place of Alex Wootton, who drops to the bench.
That feeling when you hit 150 caps together ๐
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) February 4, 2021
Congrats on the milestone Finlay and Jack ๐#GrassrootsToGreenShirts pic.twitter.com/MmO7xeUU5x