Connacht and Leinster teams named for RDS clash

Local rugby stars Jack Carty and Robbie Henshaw will be on opposing sides when Connacht face Leinster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the RDS Arena tomorrow night (Friday), kick-off 7.45pm.

Carty will captain Connacht from his customary out-half position, while his Buccaneers colleague Robbie Henshaw swaps from outside centre to inside for Leinster, with Garry Ringrose returning to don the number 13 shirt.

Connacht have made three changes to their starting XV for the clash with Leinster (live on TG4).

Having all come off the bench last week, Oisín Dowling, Eoghan Masterson and Peter Robb are named to start in the second row, blindside flanker and inside centre respectively.

The rest of the team is the same that ran in seven tries against Ospreys. The front row of Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged for the fifth straight game, while Ultan Dillane partners Dowling in the second row.

Connacht head coach Andy Friend said: “Last week was pleasing not just to pick up five points but to continue our recent level of performances, even with a substantial break in the middle. The challenge for all of us now is to raise our game even more, away to one of the best sides in Europe.

"We’ll take confidence from our win at the RDS last January, and our travelling supporters will be a big help as always. This game will tell a lot about where we are right now so we’re really looking forward to it,” Friend added.

Meanwhile, Leinster head coach Cullen has been able to call on a selection of returning internationals this week. Two of those, Hugo Keenan and James Lowe, will line out in the back three where they are joined by Jordan Larmour (see both match-day panels below).

Connacht squad v Leinster

15. Oran McNulty (3 caps)

14. Alex Wootton (23)

13. Sammy Arnold (21)

12. Peter Robb (48)

11. Mack Hansen (6)

10. Jack Carty (165), captain

9. Kieran Marmion (192)

1. Matthew Burke (29)

2. Dave Heffernan (150)

3. Finlay Bealham (165)

4. Oisín Dowling (12)

5. Ultan Dillane (120)

6. Eoghan Masterson (114)

7. Conor Oliver (26)

8. Jarrad Butler (79).

Replacements:

16. Shane Delahunt (106)

17. Jordan Duggan (18)

18. Jack Aungier (19)

19. Leva Fifita (2)

20. Cian Prendergast (14)

21. Caolin Blade (136)

22. Conor Fitzgerald (40)

23. Tom Farrell (65).

Leinster squad v Connacht

15. Hugo Keenan (34 caps)

14. Jordan Larmour (65)

13. Garry Ringrose (90)

12. Robbie Henshaw (58)

11. James Lowe (55)

10. Harry Byrne (26)

9. Luke McGrath (156), captain

1. Cian Healy (236)

2. Dan Sheehan (17)

3. Michael Ala'alatoa (5)

4. Ryan Baird (32)

5. Devin Toner (269)

6. Rhys Ruddock (194)

7. Josh van der Flier (102)

8. Caelan Doris (43).

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (28)

17. Andrew Porter (80)

18. Vakh Abdaladze (13)

19. Josh Murphy (49)

20. Max Deegan (69)

21. Nick McCarthy (39)

22. Ross Byrne (109)

23. Tommy O'Brien (11).