Rugby: Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has made nine changes from the side that demolished Bath in the Heineken Cup last weekend, for the resumption of the Pro 12 against Ulster at the RDS on St Stephens's Day (5.30pm).
A reshuffled backline sees the return of Dave Kearney to the wing for the first time since he two tries in a commanding win over Cardiff Blues at the start of the month, while Eoin O’Malley and Isa Nacewa make way for Gordon D’Arcy and Fionn Carr.
The latter will start on the left wing, freeing up Luke Fitzgerald to cover fullback instead of Nacewa. O’Malley will join Fergus McFadden in the centre, while Ian Madigan stands in for Jonathan Sexton with Eoin Reddan retained.
There are five changes to the pack with prop Cian Healy and hooker Seán Cronin returning to the frontrow and Damien Browne called upon to afford captain and lock Leo Cullen a rest.
Shane Jennings will lead them out instead, with backrow partners Kevin McLaughlin and Leo Auva’a.
With this the first of two games in four days, Ulstercoach Brian McLaughlin will use the occasion to give debuts to five players.
The backline sees three new faces included, as centres Chris Farrell and Michael Allen, and fullback Peter Nelson brace themselves for a first competitive outing with their province at the home of the European champions.
James McKinney will make his first start at outhalf with after a brief appearance against Ospreys in September, while Phoenix Academy winger Chris Cochrane is named on the right wing.
Loosehead prop Callum Black is named for the first time in the pack, as is Academy player and openside flanker Ali Birch. He will join Robbie Diack and Neil McComb in the nackrow.
Hooker Nigel Brady will captain the side that will be looking to inflict a first defeat in 12 for Leinster.
Leinster: L Fitzgerald; D Kearney, F McFadden, G D'Arcy, F Carr; I Madigan, E Reddan; C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross; D Browne, D Toner; K McLaughlin, S Jennings (capt), L Auva'a. Replacements: R Strauss, J McGrath, J Hagan, S Sykes, R Ruddock, I Boss, E O'Malley, A Conway
Ulster:P Nelson; C Cochrane, M Allen, C Farrell, S Danielli; J McKinney, P Marshall; C Black, N Brady (capt), A Macklin; T Barker, L Stevenson; N McComb, A Birch, R Diack. Replacements: N Annett, J Cronin, T Court, J Simpson, C Joyce, I Porter, S Olding, C Gaston
