Leinster have named a Grand Slam-heavy selection to face Ulster in Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup clash at the Aviva Stadium.
The Donnybrook-based side have named 13 of Ireland's Six Nations-winning stars in their starting selection, yet they must take on their provincial rivals without a few key players for the sold out Lansdowne Road encounter.
Johnny Sexton, of course, is missing from the squad, as the Ireland captain looks set to miss the remainder of the season, while Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose are also absent from the matchday panel for the visit of Ulster.
Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and James Lowe named on the wings.
Jimmy O'Brien and Robbie Henshaw form the centre partnership for the first time, while Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park complete the back line.
Tadhg Furlong makes his first European appearance of the season.
He is joined in the front row by Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan. Ryan is partnered in the second row by Ross Molony.
This season’s leading Champions Cup try scorer Josh van der Flier is in the back-row alongside Ryan Baird and Jack Conan.
On the bench, hooker John McKee is in line to make his European debut.
Dan McFarland's Ulster travel to Dublin in search of a place in the quarter-finals of this year's competition, and also welcome back their international contingent following the conclusion of the Six Nations.
Iain Henderson is ruled out of the game as he recovers from a forearm fracture and as a result, lock Alan O’Connor captains the side.
Joining him in the second row is Grand Slam-winner Kieran Treadwell, who made his return to the Ulster squad in last weekend’s home win against the Vodacom Bulls.
Dave McCann starts at blindside flanker and is joined in the back row by the experienced pairing of Ireland international Nick Timoney and Springbok Duane Vermeulen.
Packing down in the front row are returning internationals Rory Sutherland, hooker Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole.
Herring is fresh from scoring a try for Ireland in the Grand Slam-winning victory over England in the Six Nations, and Tom O’Toole will be brimming with confidence after an impressive tournament for Ireland.
Behind the pack, the in-form Nathan Doak keeps the number 9 jersey with Billy Burns returning alongside at fly-half.
Another Ireland international returns in the form of Stuart McCloskey, who lines out at inside centre, with James Hume retaining his place in the side from last weekend’s win to restore a familiar centre partnership.
The back three remains unchanged from last week’s match, with Jacob Stockdale starting on the left wing, and Rob Baloucoune hoping to repeat his try scoring heroics from the win over Bulls on the right wing. Mike Lowry completes the 15 at full-back.
The head coach is feeling confident with his squad heading into the fixture, but is all too aware of the threats that Leinster will pose to his side.
"We have the ability to win games against Leinster, but we are also aware that if we're not playing to the peak of our ability, it’s going to be tough going," said McFarland. "We are very motivated about the opportunity that lies ahead of us on Saturday."
McFarland can call upon an experienced bench with last week’s hat-trick hero Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Harry Sheridan, and Marcus Rea covering the forwards.
John Cooney, Stewart Moore and Ben Moxham provide the backline options for the province.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Jimmy O'Brien, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, James Ryan (capt); Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: John McKee, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jason Jenkins, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Ciarán Frawley
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, Nathan Doak; Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole; Alan O’Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; Dave McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham.
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
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