Connacht head coach Pat Lam admits having a number of his Ireland stars back in his ranks will be a huge boost for his side, as they look to go top of the GUINNESS PRO12 in Thursday night’s clash with Newport Gwent Dragons.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has allowed the likes of Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane to play for the province with Connacht looking for their first away win of the season.

But despite a 19-point difference between them, Lam is under no illusions that this will be an easy match for his team who are one point behind leaders Ulster.

“With a short week for us in terms of preparation and travel, we began our planning for Dragons before the break and the boys returned on Monday refreshed and eager to get back into their work,” he said.

“It’s great to have the guys back from the Irish camp for this game, but given that they haven’t trained with this week, they will add impact from the bench.

“The Dragons are in good form and are playing some great team rugby, and it’s clear for us that they are a different side to the one we faced at the Sportsground.

“They have already beaten our fellow Irish provinces Munster and Leinster at Rodney Parade and were desperately unlucky to lose in the final minute to Ulster in Belfast last week.

“So we are under no illusions as to how tough the challenge will be in Newport, and in tough conditions.”

Connacht have made three changes ahead of the GUINNESS PRO12 encounter at Rodney Parade with Rodney Ah You being the only change in the front row.

AJ MacGinty is set to make his fifth start of the season in a Connacht shirt as he replaces Jack Carty, who is currently recovering in a Dubai hospital after having his spleen removed and the No.12 shirt will be worn by Craig Ronaldson – with Bundee Aki switching to outside centre.

Meanwhile Newport Gwent Dragons will be hoping to get back to winning ways after a narrow loss to GUINNESS PRO12 leaders Ulster last time out, but have not beaten Connacht in six outings.

The Dragons have won just two of their last eight GUINNESS PRO12 encounters, at home to Munster and Leinster in rounds 9 and 13 respectively.

Fullback Carl Meyer is available after being cleared for dangerous charging, but the Dragons will be without winger Hallam Amos so Nick Scott will deputise on the wing as he looks for his first try for the Welsh side.

Sarel Pretorius will be paired with Jason Tovey at half-back while Nick Crosswell returns to his No.8 slot after coming back with a foot injury, with Ed Jackson out with a hamstring strain.

And scrum-half Charlie Davies insists his side will be desperate to bounce back against another high-flying side.

“We are hurting from the defeat to Ulster and will use that as motivation,” he told the South Wales Argus. “We've had a quick review of Ulster and then had to focus completely on Connacht.

“They are a vastly-improved side, sitting third and playing good rugby. They are a tough team but there will be opportunities for us against them.

“It won't be an easy task – they did the double over us last season and won against us in September – but if we back up our performance and play like we did in Ulster, work for each other and play positively we can get the win.”

At Rodney Parade, 7.30pm
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU. 39th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones, Simon Rees (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU)

To buy tickets for the GUINNESS PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12.