Leinster have brought back the big guns for this weekend’s clash with Exeter, while Ian Keatley for Ronan O’Gara is the only change in the Munster side to face Racing Metro on Sunday.
Joe Schmidt has called on Brian O’Driscoll, Sean O’Brien and Richardt Strauss for a game that Leinster need to win and claim a bonus point to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages, while Eoin Reddan and Kevin McLaughlin also come in, with Sean Cronin, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Isaac Boss and Fergus McFadden all dropping to the bench to accommodate their return.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Isa Nacewa, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Leo Cullen (Captain), Devin Toner; Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Heinke van der Merwe, Michael Bent, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden
In contrast to Leinster, Munster have made just one change from their unconvincing victory over Edinburgh last weekend, with Ian Keatley coming in for the suspended Ronan O’Gara at out-half.
Rob Penney’s side could also do with a bonus point win to enhance their qualification prospects, but they will have the advantage of knowing exactly what they have to do following the games involving Leinster and Montpellier on Saturday.
Munster: Jones; Howlett, Earls, Downey, Zebo; Keatley, Murray; Kilcoyne, Varley, BJ Botha; D O’Callaghan, Ryan; O’Mahony, O’Donnell, Coughlan.
Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, J Ryan, B Holland, P Butler, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, C Laulala.
Ulster are the only Irish side qualified for the knockout stages but still require a victory over Castres if they are to secure a much sought-after home draw.
The side shows four changes from last week’s win over Glasgow, with Jared Payne, Paddy Jackson, Iain Henderson and Nick Williams all stepping out, with Michael Allen, Paul Marshall, Neil McComb and Roger Wilson introduced in changes which will see Ruan Pienaar switch to out-half.
Ulster: Gilroy; Trimble, Cave, Wallace, Allen; Pienaar, Marshall; Court, Best (Captain), Afoa; Stevenson, McComb; Diack, Henry, Wilson.
Replacements: Herring, Black, Fitzpatrick, Henderson, McComish, Heaney, Jackson, Cochrane
Connacht, meanwhile, will be looking to end their Heineken Cup campaign on a high with a third win from six games if they can get past Italian minnows Zebre at the Sportsground.
Eric Elwood has made three changes from the side that lost to Harlequins last weekend with Dan Parks, Brett Wilkinson and Mick Kearney coming into the side instead of Denis Buckley, Matt Jarvis and the injured Eoin McKeon.
Connacht: Robbie Henshaw; Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White (Captain); Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy; Mick Kearney, Johnny O’Connor, Andrew Browne.
Replacements (from): Ethienne Reynecke, JP Cooney, Ronan Loughney, Dave Gannon, Eoghan Grace, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Danie Poolman
Fixtures:
Connacht v Zebre, Friday 8pm
Exeter v Leinster, Saturday 6pm
Munster v Racing Metro, Sunday 12.45pm
Castres v Ulster Saturday 1.45 pm
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