Leo Cullen makes 11 changes to the Leinster team that overcame Munster at Thomond Park last weekend for tomorrow's clash with Connacht at the RDS (kick off 5pm).
A number of players are back involved after recent injuries with Luke McGrath (knee), Johnny Sexton (quad) and Ben Te’o (concussion) all returning to the starting 15 while a further eight players come in to start. Sean O’Brien will make his 100th appearance for Leinster should he come off the bench.
In the pack Jack McGrath is once again selected at loosehead prop after his try scoring performance last weekend with Marty Moore coming in from the start this weekend. Richardt Strauss also starts at hooker tomorrow evening.
In the second row Devin Toner is joined by former Connacht player Mike McCarthy who played 160 times in two spells out west.
It’s a completely new back row with captain Rhys Ruddock leading the charge from blid side flanker and Josh van der Flier selected at open side. Finally Jordi Murphy starts from number eight.
In the backs Rob Kearney starts at full back in only his second Guinness Pro12 game of the season on his 170th appearance for Leinster. Fergus McFadden is once again selected on the right wing with Dave Kearney coming in on the left having been an unused substitute in the win over Munster last Sunday.
Ben Te’o returns from injury and takes over the inside centre jersey from Luke Fitzgerald with Garry Ringrose outside him at 13.
Luke McGrath and Johnny Sexton both return from injury to start in the half backs.
For Connacht Pat Lam has made three changes to the side defeated by Ulster.
While the backline remains unchanged, the pack has been boosted by the return from injury of hooker Tom McCartney and openside Jake Heenan. This will be the first game of the season for 23-year-old Heenan who underwent shoulder surgery in May.
Galway man Andrew Browne is also introduced for the New Year’s Day fixture at the RDS, joining Aly Muldowney in the second row.
“It’s great to have both Tom (McCartney) and Jake (Heenan) back from injury and ready for this game having joined us in training over the past few weeks. Tom adds that bit of experience and leadership that is needed in these big games, especially with our young back line. We are all delighted to see Jake returning after what has been a challenging six months for him,” Lam said.
LEINSTER: Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Dave Kearney, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath, Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Marty Moore, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock (captain), Josh van der Flier, Jordi Murphy. Replacements: James Tracy, Peter Dooley, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Sean O'Brien, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Zane Kirchner.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O'Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham, Tom McCartney, Nathan White, Aly Muldowney, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon (captain), Jake Heenan, Eoghan Masterson. Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Ultan Dillane, Sean O'Brien, Ian Porter, AJ MacGinty, Rory Parata.
