Squad news:As expected Leinster have named a number of their Irish internationals in the squad to face Connacht - who have also named their squad - at the Sportsground on Friday including Brian O'Driscoll, by Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey and Shane Horgan.

O'Driscoll, who is making his first competitive start of the season, and the others were all involved in Ireland's tour to New Zealand and Australia.

There was further good news for the province with Malcolm O'Kelly's inclusion for the Magners Celtic League match in Galway while both Guy Easterby and Luke Fitzgerald are included in the 22-man panel after recovering from knocks picked up last weekend.

"It's good to have everyone coming back at the right time," said Leinster coach Michael Chieka. "It's a bit of a jam (in terms of selection) but a jam I'd rather have. They (returning international players) are dying to come back. Yesterday we had a session and I had a hard task keeping them under control.

"There's always a bit of re-addressing in terms of bedding players back. It's not a case of simply leaving people out because the likes of Kieran Lewis (who misses the game with a wrist injury) and Mick Berne have done really well for us. We hope to that we can out together a fair bit of harmony in terms of our organisational structure.

"It will be very difficult to leave Luke (Fitzgerald) out because he has played very well and even when he moved to full-back he fed the line for Trevor Hogan's try. Luke has a great opportunity to learn from playing with these guys.

"Both Gordon (D'Arcy) and Malcolm O'Kelly are available for selection."

Cheika then admitted to a spot of research on his opponents: "We've sneaked a bit of video footage (of Connacht) because they seem to always play under the cover of darkness! But I've been impressed by their start. I think Michael Bradley's a good coach who knows how to orchestrate their structure.

"Friday night will be a challenge because they know what areas they're good at. They took a lot of lineout ball against Llanelli so they're also strong in that area."

Bradley has named a 25-man Connacht squad for this Friday's clash (6.30pm).

Ray Hogan looks set to join the match squad for the first time this season and also included are Paul Warwick and Ted Robinson who have recovered from injury.

Connacht will be looking to build on the momentum they've already generated, having won their opening two encounters, Connacht drew with Edinburgh Gunners last weekend.

Connacht are seventh in the Magners League table with Leinster one place below.

Leinster squad:
Felipe Contepomi, Reggie Corrigan, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Guy Easterby, Owen Finegan, Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Gleeson, Will Green, Jamie Heaslip, Denis Hickie, Trevor Hogan, Shane Horgan, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Brian O'Driscoll, Malcolm O'Kelly, Niall Ronan, Harry Vermaas, Christian Warner, Chris Whitaker

Connacht squad:
Michael Diffley, Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, John Fogarty, David Gannon, Ray Hogan, Chris Keane, Matt Lacey, Keith Matthews, Mark McHugh, Conor McPhillips, Matt Mostyn, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Colm Rigney, Daniel Riordan, Ted Robinson, David Slemen, Brett Sturgess, Michael Swift, Tom Tierney, Paul Warwick, Brett Wilkinson, Gavin Williams, Darren Yapp.