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Rugby

31st Dec 2015

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

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Darragh Murphy

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.

European Rugby Champions Cup Round 2, Recreation Ground, Bath, England 21/11/2015 Bath vs Leinster Leinster's Johnny Sexton Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

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.

LeinsterÕs Richardt Strauss and Rhys Ruddock 19/12/2015

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.

Jake Heenan and Tom McCartney 10/11/2015

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

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