Iain Henderson will captain Ulster against Leinster in Saturday night's top-of-the-table URC clash in what his first start since returning from injury.
Dan McFarland's men will be looking to back-up the win they secured over their provincial rival the last time the two sides met at the RDS tomorrow.
Sixty-four cap Ireland international Henderson, who came off the bench in the victory over Zebre last week, has been named to start at blindside flanker and he will be joined in the back row by fellow Irish international Nick Timoney and Marcus Rea.
The second row sees Kieran Treadwell back in the white jersey after another successful stint with Ireland, and he is partnered with Alan O'Connor, who has 163 Ulster caps to his name.
Props, Andy Warwick and Marty Moore, line-out alongside last week’s Player of the Match Tom Stewart, after the hooker scored a brace of tries in a 36-15 home win over Zebre.
Ulster’s top point-scorer, John Cooney, is paired with fly-half, Billy Burns. The centre sees Stuart McCloskey start together with fellow Ireland teammate, James Hume, for the first time this season following Hume’s return from injury.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old, Stewart Moore, who put the bonus-point try on the scoresheet in Round 8, forms a youthful back three with Ethan McIlroy and Mike Lowry, who both played their part in last year’s win over Leinster, which was only the second time the province has secured victory at the RDS.
McFarland has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench with the replacement forwards including Ireland’s Rob Herring, Emerging Ireland graduates, Callum Reid and Tom O’Toole, along with Matty Rea, Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, and Wallaby, Sam Carter. Nathan Doak, who was responsible for 15 points on last week’s scoreboard, and Jacob Stockdale will cover the backline reinforcements.
Ulster head coach McFarland, said: "We've four big games before Christmas, and the first one is against Leinster. I don't think there’s a tougher task in club rugby. They have so many quality players, but it’s a challenge we absolutely relish."
Both teams will come together ahead of kick-off for a moment’s applause to mark the sad passing of former Scotland international, and Motor Neurone Disease campaigner and fundraiser, Doddie Weir.
Ulster: Michael Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Billy Burns, John Cooney; Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore; Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell; Iain Henderson (captain), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Nathan Doak, Jacob Stockdale, Matty Rea.
Ireland international duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan are set to make their first starts for Leinster this season.
The backline pair shone in Ireland's autumn international victories over South Africa and Australia and are named in the starting XV for the visit of Ulster, both in their normal berths.
Leo Cullen has selected seven of the side which defeated Ulster at Kingspan Stadium earlier this season.
Garry Ringrose captains the team once more, and he is joined by Jimmy O'Brien, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jason Jenkins, and the back row of Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.
Keenan starts at full-back, with O’Brien and Lowe on the wings. Ringrose is joined in the centre by Jamie Osborne.
Ross Byrne and Gibson-Park form the half back partnership.
Having returned from injury last week, Ronan Kelleher starts again at hooker, joined in the front row by Cian Healy and Michael Ala'alatoa.
Meanwhile, Charlie Tector may be set for his first appearance at the RDS after being named on the bench. The Wexford-born out-half, who starred in the Ireland U20 Grand Slam winning campaign of 2021, made his debut away to Scarlets earlier this season.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, Michael Ala'alatoa; James Ryan, Jason Jenkins; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Caelan Doris, Nick McCarthy, Charlie Tector, Liam Turner.
Ireland wing Mack Hansen is among six changes to the Connacht team to face Benetton (live on RTÉ1 and RTÉ Player) on Saturday.
Hansen had missed last week's 24-17 defeat to Munster due to an injury picked up during the November international window but has now recovered to take his place in the team.
Diarmuid Kilgallen comes in to play on the opposite wing, while Niall Murray and Oisín Dowling are both introduced into the second row. Paul Boyle will start at number eight while Kieran Marmion returns at scrum half.
Boyle will be joined in the back row by Cian Prendergast and Conor Oliver, while the front row of Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged.
Jack Carty retains the number 10 jersey with Bundee Aki and Tom Farrell anchoring the midfield. John Porch starts at 15.
Connacht: John Porch; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Oisín Dowling, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Jack Aungier, Gavin Thornbury, Jarrad Butler, Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Tiernan O'Halloran.
Watch Connacht v Benetton live on RTÉ1 and RTÉ Player from 2.45pm on Saturday
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