Dan Sheehan returns to the Leinster team with the hooker to captain his side for Saturday's BKT URC game with Connacht at Aviva Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).
The dynamic front rower is the only change in the front row from the side that emerged victorious last time out against Munster at Thomond Park, with Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson for company at the coalface for a side looking to make it seven wins on the spin in all competitions.
Joe McCarthy has a new partner in the second row with Brian Deeny replacing James Ryan, while in an all-new backrow, Will Connors makes his first appearances since October with Diarmuid Mangan at blindside flanker and Jack Conan at number eight.
Jamison Gibson-Park remains at scrum-half with Sam Prendergast replacing Harry Byrne in the number 10 jersey.
Leo Cullen has opted for a new centre partnership of Charlie Tector and Hugh Cooney, with Ciarán Frawley (full-back) and Tommy O’Brien (wing) retaining their positions. JJ Kenny replaces James Lowe on the left wing.
Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani offer the front row reinforcements from the bench. Academy second row Conor O'Tighearnaigh is in line for his first appearance of the season while Max Deegan and Josh van der Flier provide further forward cover in a 6:2 split.
Connacht head coach Stuart Lancastar - pictured above - has made five changes from the side that started last week’s narrow loss to Ulster.
Dave Heffernan and Jack Carty miss out through injury, so Dylan Tierney-Martin comes in to start at hooker and Josh Ioane at 10 as a new half-back pairing with Matthew Devine.
David Hawkshaw starts at outside centre, while Chay Mullins has returned to full fitness to take his place on the right wing.
Otherwise it’s as selected from last week, with starts for props Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham, locks Joe Joyce and David O’Connor, and a back row of Josh Murphy, captain Cian Prendergast and Sean Jansen.
Bundee Aki continues at inside centre, while Finn Treacy is on the left wing and Sam Gilbert is at full-back as Connacht seek just a third URC win of the season and avoid a 10th successive defeat at the hands of Leinster.
Leinster: Ciarán Frawley; Tommy O’Brien, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Joshua Kenny; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (capt), Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, Brian Deeney; Diarmaid Mangan, Will Connors, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne.
Connacht: Sam Gilbert; Chay Mullins, David Hawkshaw, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy; Josh Ioane, Matthew Devine; Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, David O’Connor; Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (capt), Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Billy Bohan, Fiachna Barrett, Darragh Murray, Paul Boyle, Ben Murphy, Harry West, Cathal Forde.
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
