Leinster make 14 changes for Connacht clash ahead of final outing at the RDS

Leo Cullen has brought in 14 new faces to the Leinster XV to play Connacht on Friday night, with only Jamie Osborne surviving from the group which lost to Toulouse in last week’s Champions Cup final.

Osborne switches from 12 to 13 with Ciarán Frawley, who came off the bench in London, starting at inside centre. Young outhalf Sam Prendergast, who is subject to an approach to play for Connacht on loan next season, starts alongside Cormac Foley in the halfbacks.

Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien and Rob Russell form the backthree as Leinster look for a victory that will keep them in contention for a top two finish and a home run to the URC final.

In the forwards, Rhys Ruddock, Ross Molony and Ed Byrne are all given RDS farewells in the last game before Leinster’s home ground is redeveloped. Thomas Clarkson and Ronan Kelleher start in the front row, Brian Deeny joins Molony at lock while Scott Penny captains the side in the backrow alongside Jack Conan and Ruddock.

Dave Heffernan makes his 200th Connacht appearance on Friday night after being named to start in the frontrow alongside former Leinster prop Peter Dooley and Finlay Bealham. Needing a win to keep alive their slim playoff hopes, Connacht have named Joe Joyce and Niall Murray at lock with Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver and Sean Jansen in the backrow.

Caolin Blade and Jack Carty form an experienced halfback duo, while Cathal Forde and David Hawkshaw line out at centre. Santiago Cordero continues his return from injury at fullback while Shane Mallon and Shane Jennings line out alongside him in the backthree.