Forde and West continue in the midfield for Connacht

An all-time record attendance of over 12,000 will be in attendance for the official opening of the New Clan Stand, which provides supporters with state-of-the-art facilities across three floors, with standing, seating and hospitality offerings.

Lancaster has selected a squad that shows just three changes from the side that comprehensively beat Montauban last week. Two changes are in the half-backs, with a new pairing of the fit-again Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane at 9 and 10, while Dylan Tierney-Martin is named at hooker after Dave Heffernan was ruled out due to injury.

Cian Prendergast will lead the team out from blindside flanker, in a powerful looking back row with Paul Boyle and Sean Jansen. Josh Murphy and Darragh Murray continue in the second row, while Academy prop Billy Bohan starts alongside Dylan Tierney-Martin and Sam Illo in the front row.

Cathal Forde and Harry West continue at centre after impressive displays in the Challenge Cup, as do the back three of wingers Finn Treacy and Shane Jennings, and full-back Sam Gilbert.

There’s plenty of experience due to come off the bench, with Denis Buckley, Jack Carty and Bundee Aki all included.

CONNACHT RUGBY V LEINSTER RUGBY

Saturday 24^th January, 17:30 @ Dexcom Stadium

15. Sam Gilbert (8)
14. Shane Jennings (26)
13. Harry West (5)
12. Cathal Forde (62)
11. Finn Treacy (15)
10. Josh Ioane (22)
9. Caolin Blade (218)
1. Billy Bohan (4)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (66)
3. Sam Illo (39)
4. Josh Murphy (50)
5. Darragh Murray (50)
6. Cian Prendergast (95) (C)
7. Paul Boyle (125)
8. Sean Jansen (37)

16. Eoin de Buitléar (19)
17. Denis Buckley (272)
18. Jack Aungier (93)
19. Joe Joyce (46)
20. Sean O’Brien (23)
21. Ben Murphy (26)
22. Jack Carty (228)
23. Bundee Aki (157)

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says:

"The importance of tomorrow isn’t lost on us. It’s a very special day for the supporters and the whole province of Connacht, as we start a new era in the new Clan Stand in front of a record attendance at Dexcom Stadium.

The fans have been fantastic during the redevelopment, but having 6,000+ on that side of the ground again - and the energy they will give the players - is a massive boost for us. 

It’s obviously a very important game in its own right. We’ve seen growth in the squad in the last few weeks and ever increasing performances, but we now need to reach another level again if we’re to beat what will be a very strong Leinster side. 

With Denis, Jack and Bundee all available off the bench, I’m sure they will use all their experience to make a real impact as it will need the full 80 minute performance from the whole squad”