Magners League team news: After succumbing to their first defeat of the season at home to Munster, Leinster travel to Connacht seeking to get their title defence right back on track. And with one eye on the European trip to Edinburgh the following weekend coach Michael Cheika has taken the opportunity to freshen things up.
Brian O'Driscoll, Girvan Dempsey, Malclom O'Kelly and Shane Jennings are among a number of front-liners rested for Sunday's match at the Sportsground.
Instead, Cheika will turn to the likes of Stephen Keogh, Gary Brown, Felix Jones and Fergus McFadden as Cheika assesses his options ahead of the Heineken Cup campaign.
"It's a very important game for us in terms of how we are going to manage these next four weeks," Cheika explained today. "We're going to look to use our whole squad over the next four weeks and we'll have to make sure that everyone makes a contribution to the team.
"Some guys are going to get an opportunity to get selected for Europe. So it's a big game, in all respects for us, because we know how tough it is to win down there."
Cheika is likely to start with big-name signings Rocky Elsom and CJ Van Der Linde as they move towards match fitness while Leo Cullen will again lead from the front.
Basement side Ulster, meanwhile, welcome back skipper Rory Best as they go in search of their first win of the season at home to Ulster on Friday night.
The hooker missed last weekend's drubbing at the hands of Cardiff through injury but is among six new faces in the squad for the match at Ravenhill.
"A win against Edinburgh will be the springboard we need to turn our fortunes around," said the Ireland international. "Every game played is important, but with the Heineken cup next week, each member of the squad will not only be playing for the win come Friday, but for their position on the team to take on Stade next Saturday."
"We also want to put in a performance that our supporters can be proud of," added Best.
Leinster Squad
Forwards(12): Cian Healy, Stan Wright, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, CJ Van Der Linde, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt, Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh
Backs(11): Chris Keane, Chris Whitaker, Felipe Contepomi, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Keogh, Fergus Mc Fadden, Luke Fitzgerald, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Felix Jones, Rob Kearney
Ulster Squad
Forwards(14): Justin Fitzpatrick; Nigel Brady, Tom Court, Rory Best, Brendon Botha, Carlo Del Fava, Ed O'Donoghue, Ryan Caldwell, Matt McCullough, Kieron Dawson, Robbie Diack, Stephen Ferris, David Pollock, Thomas Anderson
Backs(11): Niall O'Connor; Bryn Cunningham, Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Clinton Schifcofske, Cillian Willis, Isaac Boss, Paul Steinmetz, Ian Humphreys, Ian Whitten
