Connacht and Leinster have both named strong sides for tomorrow’s PRO12 meeting at the Sportsgrounds.
The two provinces go into the game on top of the table, with Leinster trailing the hosts by a single point.
Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made two changes from the starting XV that beat Edinburgh three weeks ago.
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[/raw]Connacht team to face Leinster sees centre Peter Robb handed his first #PRO12Rugby start @ https://t.co/aREEGeOkAT pic.twitter.com/pBLlXnCA50
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) March 25, 2016
Academy centre Peter Robb is handed his first PRO12 start and partners Bundee Aki in midfield.
Niyi Adeolokun returns to the right wing after missing the Edinburgh game through injury and is the only other personnel change to the team.
The half back pairing is once again made up of AJ MacGinty and Kieran Marmion, who made his Six Nations debut earlier this month.
The packs sees Ireland international Nathan White, who featured in all five 6 Nations games, pack down in the front row while 21-year-old Sean O’Brien from the Academy is again included in the back row with Jake Heenan and captain John Muldoon.
Internationals Robbie Henshaw – who only joined team training on Thursday – and Finlay Bealham are both named amongst the replacements.
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[/raw]WATCH: Here is the #LeinsterRugby starting XV to face Connacht in the #GuinnessPRO12. #CONvLEINhttps://t.co/gN2M6rM5I9
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 25, 2016
Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has called upon 12 players who were involved in the match day and extended match day squad with Ireland last weekend against Scotland in the Six Nations. Fit-again Luke Fitzgerald also returns for the first time since January to make his 150th appearance for the province.
With Fergus McFadden coming on to the right wing, captain Isa Nacewa who makes his 100th Guinness PRO12 appearance on Saturday reverts to full back with Fitzgerald taking up the number 11 jersey. Ben Te'o and Garry Ringrose continue in midfield.
Luke McGrath again starts at scrumhalf with Ian Madigan joining him in the half backs.
Cian Healy comes in at loosehead prop with Richardt Strauss also starting at hooker. Tadhg Furlong completes the front row.
Behind them Ross Molony and Hayden Triggs start in the second row, while in the back row Dominic Ryan starts from blind side with Josh van der Flier and Rhys Ruddock back from Ireland duty to complete the pack.
Irish players Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Jamie Heaslip and Eoin Reddan are all included on the bench.
Connacht v Leinster at the Sportsground on Saturday March 26 - kick-off 5.15pm.
Connacht team 15.Tiernan O’Halloran, 14. Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Peter Robb, 11 Matt Healy, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Nathan White, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Aly Muldowney, 6 Sean O’Brien, 7 Jake Heenan, 8 John Muldoon - capt.
Replacements 16. Dave Heffernan, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Shane O’Leary, 23 Robbie Henshaw.
Leinster team 15. Isa Nacewa - capt., 14. Fergus McFadden, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Ben Te'o, 11. Luke Fitzgerald, 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Luke McGrath; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Richardt Strauss, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Hayden Triggs, 6. Dominic Ryan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Rhys Ruddock.
Replacements16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Mike Ross, 19. Devin Toner, 20. Jamie Heaslip, 21. Eoin Reddan, 22. Noel Reid, 23. Zane Kirchner.