Leinster suffered defeats to Wasps and Bath over the European break but they had been in fine fettle in the GUINNESS PRO12, having lost just once in their last six league games.

Reinforcing their back-line is full-back Kearney, who has not featured in Europe due to a hamstring injury, along with Zane Kirchner - the wing is set to make his 50^th Leinster appearance on Friday.

In at scrum-half instead of Isaac Boss is Luke McGrath, while Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong, Mike McCarthy and Josh van der Flier are the four changes to the pack.

And Kearney cannot wait to be let off the leash at the RDS after his spell on the sidelines.

"It has been frustrating but probably not as frustrating as the guys who have been involved," he said. "It's always tough to watch from the lines but I've now got a responsibility after missing the last two weeks to bring something tomorrow.

"Try and bring a little bit of energy and do my bit to try and get the team back to winning ways.

"I suppose these derby games are exactly what they are and there's a little bit more in them. We have to think about the last time we played out here [RDS] and what happened there."

With Leinster in fourth in the table Ulster are one spot behind after overcoming their away-day hoodoo last time out in the GUINNESS PRO12.

They beat Newport Gwent Dragons 19-12 at Rodney Parade in Round 7 - but have not won successive away games in the tournament since February.

Ruan Pienaar will also bring up a landmark in Ulster colours as the South Africa scrum-half racks up his 100^th appearance for the province.

And there are four changes to the starting XV - Kyle McCall, Robbie Diack and Sean Reidy are included in the pack and Peter Nelson is named at full-back.

Ulster have also been bolstered by the news that Ireland hooker Rory Best has signed a new contract, and Nelson believes his side can put their European defeat to Saracens in the rear-view mirror.

"Games don't come much bigger than playing Leinster down in Dublin, so it's another quality team we face this week," said Nelson.

"It's going to be tough and we've got to be very, very sharp defensively.

"It was disappointing to concede so many tries against Saracens as we pride ourselves on our defence.

"With the likes of Madigan and Sexton they have players capable of producing any sort of move - we really need to be switched on."


RDS Arena, 7.35pm. Live on TG4/BBC NI
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 46th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andy Brace, Olly Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)