Defending champions Connacht are still searching for their first league point of the new Guinness PRO12 season and head coach Pat Lam knows that Edinburgh pose a real threat on Friday.

Connacht achieved the season’s double over Edinburgh for the first time last year, although the Scotsmen have won on two of their last four visits to Galway.

Lam has made two changes to the side that lost last to Scarlets last time out – Peter Robb comes into the centres and Conor Carey makes his debut in the front row.

And Lam knows his side will have be prepared to front up to an Edinburgh side that beat those same Scarlets in round two.

“We’re back at the Sportsground tomorrow and really looking forward to the challenge,” said Lam.

“We are under no illusions as to the threat that Edinburgh pose, and the physicality they will bring to the contest. We are determined to continue improving in our game as we look to earn the points that are available.”

Edinburgh’s only away victory in any tournament since early January was by a single point on a trip to Newport Gwent Dragons in March.

But in a week that saw the departure of head coach Alan Solomons, a quartet of Scotland internationalists will re-enter the fold on Friday.

Forwards Ross Ford, WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist and John Hardie are among seven personnel changes from last week’s loss at Thomond Park, with try-scorer Hardie promoted from the bench.

Nel, Ford

In the backs, scrum-half Sean Kennedy will make his first start of the season and is partnered by stand-off Jason Tovey, who returns to play after missing out on the opening games of the season through a wrist injury.

The final change to the starting side is in the midfield, where Chris Dean – who scored his second try for the club against Munster – shuffles to outside-centre to accommodate the incoming Solomoni Rasolea, prompting a move to wing for Mike Allen.

Acting head coach Duncan Hodge said: “It’s been a challenging week for all involved but we’ve got a massive game we need to win on Friday night. In the short-term our focus has got to be on tomorrow’s match.

“We’ve got some fresh faces coming in from last week who will lift the team and give us a fresh energy for the game.”

“Connacht have talismanic players among them and they’re always a tough team to play, especially at home.

“They’ll be physical, but we know what to expect. We have prepared well this week and can’t wait to embrace the challenge, start to change our performances and get results for the club.”

Connacht: O’Halloran; Adeolokun, Aki, Robb, Healy; Carty, Marmion; Buckley, McCartney, Carey; Roux, Dillane; McKeon, Heenan, Muldoon

Replacements: Heffernan, Loughney, Bealham, Stevenson, Connolly, Blade, O’Leary, Kelleher

Edinburgh: Bryce; Hoyland, Dean, Rasolea, Allen; Tovey, Kennedy; Sutherland, Ford, Nel; Toolis, Gilchrist; Bradbury, Hardie, Du Preez

Replacements: McInally, Cosgrove, Dell, Carmichael, Watson, Hidalgo-Clyne, Tofilau, Kinghorn

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 27, Connacht won 11, Edinburgh won 14 and 2 games drawn

At The Sportsground, 7.35pm. Live on TG4
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 137th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Simon Rees (WRU), John Carvill (IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)