As expected, both CJ Van Der Linde and Rocky Elsom have been included in Michael Cheika's initial selection for Sunday's Celtic League showdown with Munster. The two Leinster newcomers have yet to make their debuts for the province.
Cheika today named an extended 32-man panel squad for the eagerly awaited clash at a sold-out RDS and will whittle down his selection on Friday.
Elsom will be looking to hit he ground running for his new club following an outstanding Tri-Nations campaign with Australia while Van Der Linde will no doubt be well resting after his five-match ban.
Jonathan Sexton is also back in contention following his recovery from a neck injury and will be hoping to start at outhalf in the absence of Isa Nacewa. The South African suffered a broken arm in last weekend's win over the Ospreys and is not expected back until December at the earliest.
"It's always good to get your full squad together. Bar the injuries (to Gordon D'Arcy and Isa Nacewa) we have close to a full deck to choose from in the forwards. It's slightly different in the backs... so we're going to have to make some decisions," said Cheika ahead crunch fixture.
"Rocky (Elsom) has had an interrupted Tri-Nations with an injury plus gaps in this format. CJ (Van Der Linde) has obviously had a bit of a break, so he should be fresh. We'll just see how training goes.
"If anything the break would have been good for them both. I think they're very keen to play from what I've seen of the two of them. We'll have a look at how they blow out this week and then make some calls.
Cheika is in no doubt both Elsom and Van Der Linde bring a new dynamic to the squad.
"I think what you'll see with Rocky is that he is a power player, a good lineout operator and a good defender. The main thing is that they'll need to adjust their game because there are differences in the northern hemisphere.
"CJ is an excellent scrummager and a very dynamic player as well being able to play both sides of the scrum, as can Stan (Wright), which means that there's good versatility in all our props. There's Stephen (Knoop) and Cian Healy and Ronnie (McCormack) can also play tight and loose-head.
"We are looking at trying to improve every game. We've had a mix of frontrows and secondrows so we're going to try and find the best formula going forward."
Cheika recognises that Munster have yet to hit top gear but is equally cautious about the threat the European champions present, particularly with players like Doug Howlett in the side.
"I think that they're an improving team. They have a lot more clarity about how they want to play their wide game and they do it well because they have some great finishers.
"(Doug) Howlett has really been in excellent form, trailing behind the back and in his work off the ball. I think that their coach has been very clever in the way he has used his squad. I've been pretty impressed by what he has done so far."
Meanwhile Connacht received a welcome boost ahead of their away trip to Cardiff on Friday night with news that Mike Roberts and Michael Swift are both fit to start.
Roberts will make his competitive debut for the province when he starts on the left-wing, while Swift returns after missing the 15-8 win over Glasgow. He will partner Andrew Browne in the second row.
Johnny O'Connor takes his place in the backrow after being introduced as a replacement against Glasgow after several weeks out injured.
Gavin Duffy, Keith Matthews and Ray Ofisa were not considered due to injuries picked up in the win over Glasgow.
Coach Michael Bradley said this gave an opportunity to others to stake a claim.
"It gives the guys who did not start last week a chance to put down a marker ahead of the European Challenge Cup campaign," he said.
Leinster squad
Backs: Chris Whitaker, Chris Keane, Jonathan Sexton, Felipe Contepomi, Brian O'Driscoll, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus McFadden, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Eoin O'Malley, Girvan Dempsey
Forwards: Cian Healy, Stephen Knoop, Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, CJ Van Der Linde, Stan Wright, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O'Kelly, Leo Cullen, Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Trevor Hogan, Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Kevin McLaughlin, Jamie Heaslip
Connacht team: F Carr; A Wynne, J Hearty, M Deane, M Roberts; A Dunne, F Murphy; J Lyne, A Flavin, R Morris; A Browne, M Swift; J Muldoon (C), J O'Connor, C Rigney. Replacements: S Cronin, R Loughney, A Farley, M McCarthy, K Campbell, I Keatley, L Bibo.
