The Cahir native has been switched to the back row by Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus where he'll be joined by Robin Copeland and Conor Oliver.
Elsewhere in the XV James Cronin comes back into the front row with John Madigan making his first start of the season in the second row.
There's also a change at half back where Ian Keatley comes in to partner Duncan Williams.
Cashel man Sean O'Connor, who lined out for Ireland at this year's U20 World Cup, is on the bench.
