Andrew Goodman will make his first start for Leinster in Sunday’s clash with the Ospreys while South African Danie Poolman will make his debut for Connacht tomorrow evening.
By Declan Whooley
Leinster make wholesale changes to the team that defeated the Cardiff Blues so comprehensively last time out with many of their players on international duty.
Dave Kearney is one of only two backs that retains his place, while Shane Jennings will captain the side with Rhys Ruddock and Leo Auva’a joing him in the back row.
Ospreys v Leinster, Liberty Stadium, Sunday, K.O. 4pm
Leinster XV: David Kearney; Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken, Andrew Goodman, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Thomas Sexton, Jamie Hagan; Damian Browne, Devin Toner; Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings (c), Leo Auva’a.
Danie Poolman will make his first start for Connacht as Eric Elwood makes six changes for the home tie against Treviso tomorrow evening at the Sportsground.
Loosehead prop Denis Buckley comes back into the side, while Mike McCarthy is released from international duty and links up with Michael Swift in the second row.
Andrew Browne and Johnny O’Connor come into the back row to join Eoin McKeon while Dave McSharry will start alongside Poolman in midfield.
Connacht v Benetton Treviso, The Sportsground, Saturday, K.O. 5pm
Connacht XV: Robbie Henshaw; Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White (c); Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy; Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor, Eoin McKeon
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