Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham return for Connacht against Bristol

Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham both return for Connacht, among eight changes to their team for their final Investec Champions Cup Pool 1 game against Bristol Bears on Friday.

Pete Wilkins side can still mathematically qualify for the last 16, although a big win over the Premiership side would at least see them drop down to the Challenge Cup knock-out stage.

Bealham comes in at tighthead prop, while there's also a change at loosehead with Denis Buckley starting, as Tadhg McElroy retains his place at hooker.

Niall Murray is given a start at second row, replacing his younger brother Darragh, and partners Joe Joyce at lock, with Joyce set to go up against his former side.

Shamus Hurley-Langton comes into the back row at openside flanker, replacing Sean Jansen. As a result, Jarrad Butler pivots to number 8, while Cian Prendergast stays on the blindside of the scrum.

There's a new half-back pairing, as Caolin Blade returns to captain the side and JJ Hanrahan moves from full-back into out-half, while Tiernan O'Halloran returns from injury to start in the 15 shirt.

Aki forms a new centre partnership with David Hawkshaw, while the wings are unchanged with Shayne Bolton and Andrew Smith starting.

Bristol's matchday squad sees two former Connacht players included, with replacement scrum-half Kieran Marmion set to play for the first time at the Sportsground after leaving the province for the Bears in the summer. Starting out-half AJ MacGinty will also be returning to Galway after playing his part in the province's 2016 Pro12 title success.

There will also be an emotional return to Galway for Bears head coach Pat Lam (above), who led Connacht to their sole professional title almost eight years ago.

Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; Andrew Smith,