Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has brought in six Irish internationals to his squad for his side’s first inter-provincial derby in the PRO14 against Connacht at the Showgrounds tomorrow at 19 35.
Having started the season perfectly the stars will need to come back in seamlessly as the younger players have been hugely impressive in their absence.
Robbie Henshaw, Luke McGrath, Cian Healy and Andrew Porter have all come straight into the starting line-up, while Rhys Ruddock and Rob Kearney take up places on the bench.
With that in mind it means that Healy and Porter join Ronan Kelleher in the front-row, with Devin Toner and captain Scott Fardy once again in the second-row.
Josh Murphy is at blindside-flanker, with Will Connors at openside and Max Deegan completes the pack from No 8.
McGrath links up with Ross Byrne in the half-backs, with Byrne having watched younger brother Harry star last weekend during their win over the Dragons, while Joe Tomane is joined by Henshaw in the midfield pairing.
James Lowe remains on the left-wing, with Adam Bryne taking over from Dave Kearney on the right, while Hugo Keenan returns from an ankle injury to come back in at full-back.
There is a huge amount of experience on the bench for the reigning back to back champions with the likes of Michael Bent and Jamison Gibson-Park joining Ruddock and Kearney among the replacements.
Leinster are looking to make it six wins from six at the start of the new PRO14 season with victory on Friday night as they attempt to extend their lead at the top of Conference A, while for Connacht they have a chance to go top of Conference B for at least 24 hours if they claim the win.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
15. Hugo Keenan (9)
14. Adam Byrne (54)
13. Robbie Henshaw (37)
12. Joe Tomane (17)
11. James Lowe (33)
10. Ross Byrne (75)
9. Luke McGrath (113)
1. Cian Healy (208)
2. Rónan Kelleher (6)
3. Andrew Porter (53)
4. Devin Toner (235)
5. Scott Fardy (47) (C)
6. Josh Murphy (25)
7. Will Connors (8)
8. Max Deegan (51)
Replacements:
16. James Tracy (97)
17. Ed Byrne (45)
18. Michael Bent (129)
19. Ross Molony (87)
20. Rhys Ruddock (161)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (75)
22. Ciarán Frawley (15)
23. Rob Kearney (210)
