Leo Cullen gets injury boost as he makes eleven changes for Connacht clash

While most of us were preparing to ring in the new year, Leo Cullen was busy ringing the changes.

The Leinster head coach has made eleven changes from his side’s 24-7 victory over arch-rivals Munster last week. Cullen has named a starting XV that has been boosted by a number of returns from injury for Friday’s PRO12 clash with Connacht at the RDS. Luke McGrath (knee), Johnny Sexton (quad) and Ben Te’o (concussion) all come back into the fold for Leinster. Jack McGrath and Devin Toner are the only two forwards to retain their starting place from Sunday’s win. McGrath will be joined in the front row by Marty Moore and hooker Richardt Strauss while Toner is partnered at second row by former Connacht lock Mike McCarthy. The back row is completely changed with Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier and Jordi Murphy all starting against the men from the west. The returning Luke McGrath and Johnny Sexton take their places as half-backs while Ben Te’o comes into the fray to play alongside Garry Ringrose who impressed last weekend. Rob Kearney starts at full back with brother Dave starting on the left and Fergus McFadden keeping his place on the right wing. 15. Rob Kearney 14. Fergus McFadden 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Ben Te'o 11. Dave Kearney 10. Johnny Sexton 9. Luke McGrath 1. Jack McGrath 2. Richardt Strauss 3. Marty Moore 4. Devin Toner 5. Mike McCarthy 6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN  7. Josh van der Flier 8. Jordi Murphy REPLACEMENTS 16. James Tracy 17. Peter Dooley 18. Michael Bent 19. Ross Molony 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Ian Madigan 23. Zane Kirchner Connacht head coach Pat Lam, meanwhile, names just three changes from Saturday’s defeat to Ulster and all three come in the pack. Hooker Tom McCartney starts after returning to full fitness, as does Jake Heenan, and Andrew Browne has also been introduced to the second row for the sold-out game in Dublin. 15. Tiernan O’Halloran 14. Niyi Adeolokun 13. Bundee Aki 12. Craig Ronaldson 11. Matt Healy 10. Jack Carty 9. Kieran Marmion 1. Finlay Bealham 2. Tom McCartney 3. Nathan White 4. Aly Muldowney 5. Andrew Browne 6. John Muldoon CAPTAIN 7. Jake Heenan 8. Eoghan Masterson REPLACEMENTS 16           Dave Heffernan 17           Ronan Loughney 18           Rodney Ah You 19           Ultan Dillane 20           Sean O’Brien 21           Ian Porter 22           AJ MacGinty 23           Rory Parata