Team News: Rob Kearney will get his first start at full back this season when Leinster take on Connacht on Sunday, as Michael Cheika and his side look to bounce back from their defeat to Munster at the RDS last week. Felipe Contepomi will make his 100th appearance for the province at the Sportsground.
With the opening stages of the Heineken European Cup in sight, Cheika has opted to rest some key men ahead but given the wealth of talent at his disposal Connacht can be sure of a tough test in Galway.
Kearney will be joined in the back three by Simon Keogh, whose 11th Leinster appearance will be his first since his return from Harlequins.
Luke Fitzgerald will get a chance to showcase his talents in the centre but alongside Felipe Contepomi, rather than Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll.
The Argentine will be the first foreign player to reach the ton for Leinster.
"When I first signed for Leinster back in 2003 I could never have known that I would reach 100 caps. It is a huge honour for me to do so because playing for Leinster means a lot to me," said Contepomi.
"I would like to dedicate this achievement to my family and would also like to thank all my team-mates, coaches and all the supporters over the last five years for giving me the opportunity to play to my best for this fantastic club.
"I am very proud to become the first foreign player to reach this milestone for the province but the most important thing is to get a win against Connacht on Sunday and we're all focused on getting a positive result."
New signings Rocky Elsom and CJ van der Linde remain in the side as they look to get up to speed with their team-mates ahead of the group stages of the European Cup.
The latter will be partnered in the front row by Stan Wright and John Fogarty, while Elsom forms the back row with Sean O'Brien and Stephen Keogh.
In the Connacht camp Michael Bradley has made nine changes to the side that was trounced 58-0 by Cardiff last week.
Bradley will hope the return of Gavin Duffy and Keith Matthews at centre, plus Liam Bibo on the wing, can inject some spark into their performance.
Ian Keatley will be asked to pull the strings at outhalf, while former Leinster player Fionn Carr remains at full back.
Bradley has also opted to change the front row entirely with Brett Wilkinson and Ronan Loughney teaming up with hooker Sean Cronin.
Leinster captain Leo Cullen, who partners Devin Toner in the second row, knows the opposition will be raising their game but insists his side are not lacking in motivation.
"It's going to be a very physical game. Connacht really raise their game when they play against the Irish provinces and we've had some pretty tough games against them over the years," said the lock.
"It's a very tough place to play. We were lucky to get a very tight win in atrocious conditions down there last year, so we'll have to see what the conditions are like first, but coming off a loss we're keen to get back to winning ways.
"Motivation won't be an issue. There are a few changes in the team again this week and there are places up for grabs. Everyone wants to be playing now with so many big games coming up, and there's going to be plenty of motivation to pick ourselves up and improve."
Leinster:R Kearney; S Horgan, L Fitzgerald, F Contepomi, S Keogh; J Sexton, C Keane; S Wright, J Fogarty, CJ Van Der Linde; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; R Elsom, S O'Brien, S Keogh. Replacements: C Healy, B Blaney, T Hogan, C Jowitt, C Whitaker, F McFadden, G Brown
Connacht: F Carr; L Bibo, G Duffy, K Matthews, M Roberts; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Loughney; M McCarthy, A Farley; J Muldoon (C), J O'Connor, C Rigney. Replacements : C Muldoon, R Morris, A Browne, M Swift, K Campbell, T Nathan, J Hearty.
