Less than a fortnight after the disappointing conclusion of the extended 2019/20 season, Leinster open their new campaign with eight changes in personnel for the visit of the Dragons in the Guinness Pro14.
Captain Johnny Sexton will lead the side out at the RDS on Friday night (kick-off 8.15pm) with a similar backline to the one that exited the Champions Cup at the quarter-final stage.
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He will have a new half-back partner with Jamison Gibson-Park replacing Luke McGrath, while the injured Robbie Henshaw is replaced in midfield by Ciarán Frawley.
Hugo Keenan and Jordan Larmour switch positions, with Keenan handed the 15 jersey and Larmour moving to the right wing.
The pack is noticeably different, with an all-new front row.
Ed Byrne, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Bent are handed starts, with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Andrew Porter named among the replacements.
Scott Fardy comes back in to partner James Ryan in the second row, while only Jack Conan survives the Sarries defeat, with Rhys Ruddock and Josh van der Flier named to start.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Ciarán Frawley, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ed Byrne, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Bent; Scott Fardy, James Ryan; Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Seán Cronin, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Tommy O'Brien.
Ulster have also named their side for Friday’s opener against Benetton Rugby at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 8.15pm).
In the back three, Jacob Stockdale has been selected to start at full-back and will be joined by Rob Lyttle and Craig Gilroy on the wings.
Stewart Moore will make his first senior start for Ulster, pairing with James Hume in midfield. Michael Lowry has been named to start at out-half, alongside John Cooney at scrum-half.
Jack McGrath and Marty Moore will pack down either side of Rob Herring in the front row, and Sam Carter will partner captain Iain Henderson at lock. Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy and Marcell Coetzee have been selected as the starting loose forwards.
Ulster team: Jacob Stockdale, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Rob Lyttle, Michael Lowry, John Cooney; Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O'Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, David O'Connor, David McCann, Alby Mathewson, Bill Johnston, Louis Ludik.
The IRFU announced earlier on Thursday that the latest round of Covid-19 testing had produced no positive results from the 380 players, staff and match officials tested across the four provinces this week
