Connacht team to face Leinster

Lock Aly Muldowney is the sole player remaining from the starting XV that defeated Bayonne 29 - 27 in France last weekend.

Centre Robbie Henshaw returns to action following his involvement for Ireland in the November Series. The 21-year-old international is partnered by Bundee Aki, who starts in his preferred position of inside centre for the first time.

Mils Muliaina is named at full back in a back three with Danie Poolman and Matt Healy. 22-year-old Jack Carty is handed the reins at outhalf for his first game at the RDS while Ireland's Kieran Marmion, who scored Connacht's try at the Dublin venue last year, resumes duties at scrum half.

Up front, John Muldoon will captain the side from a back row featuring Eoin McKeon and George Naoupu. On-loan lock Quinn Roux partners Muldowney in the second row behind the front row trio of Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and Rodney Ah You.

The most notable inclusion on the bench is Academy forward Ultan Dillane. Following a string of impressive performances for the Connacht Eagles, the 21-year-old lock from Tralee, Co. Kerry, could make his Connacht debut tomorrow night. With the injury to Ian Porter and unavailability of John Cooney, last week's double try scorer Caolin Blade has also been named amongst the replacements.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:

"As per our planning, we see a different team this week to the one that lined out against Bayonne. Despite the six-day turnaround and tough 12 hour trips to and from France, we were able to have a good week's preparation due to the use of all our squad over the last three weeks. This was vital as we prepare for one of the biggest challenges of our season against the defending champions stacked with quality players and in a venue where we have never won.

"While there is huge interest and excitement from supporters, we know that we will have to be fully focused on executing our roles, the game plan and our team work to give us any chance of success. If we do that the Connacht way, I have no doubt that we are capable of creating history tomorrow night.

"All the players are hugely excited to be involved in this game and it's fantastic to be able to give Ultan, another promising player from our Academy, the opportunity to wear the Connacht jersey on the big stage."

Connacht team to face Leinster
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Danie Poolman
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Eoin McKeon
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Willie Faloon
21. Caolin Blade
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Darragh Leader

Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Shane Delahunt, Nathan White, Mick Kearney, Andrew Browne, Jake Heenan, Tiernan O'Halloran, Fionn Carr, Miah Nikora, Ian Porter, John Cooney.

Leinster v Connacht
Friday December 19th
RDS
Kick off 19:35
Live on TG4