Leinster boosted by two returning Irish Internationals

Leinster Head coach Leo Cullen has named his side to take on Connacht Rugby in the second leg of the Champions Cup Round of 16 tomorrow (KO 5.30pm).

Cullen has made three changes to the side with Irish internationals Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher all restored to the starting XV.

The front row duo will take their place alongside Tadhg Furlong, replacing Cian Healy and Dan Sheehan.

The rest of the pack remains the same with Ross Molony and Josh Murphy in the second row while Caelan Doris, reaching a half-century of appearances for the province, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan complete the forwards.

Gibson-Park, a second-half replacement in the first leg, will partner captain Johnny Sexton in the half-backs. The remainder of the back-line is also unchanged.

Ciarán Frawley, like Doris, will also reach a half-century of Leinster Rugby appearances if he enters the fray from the bench. 

Meanwhile, Connacht have made just one change to their starting XV to face Leinster.

The inclusion of Caolin Blade is the only change with Kieran Marmion named among the replacements. There are two further changes on the bench, with the inclusion of Denis Buckley having returned from injury, and hooker Jonny Murphy. Conor Fitzgerald will make his 50th appearance for the province if called upon.

A win of 6 points or more would see Connacht qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup for the first time in their history. A draw or win of any kind will see Leinster progress to the quarter-finals.

The lineups

3⃣ changes for @leinsterrugby 🔵
1⃣ change for @connachtrugby 🦅

Here is how the two sides lineup for the #HeinekenChampionsCup Ro16 second leg #LEIvCON

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 14, 2022

Leinster Rugby

15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Jimmy O'Brien, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (c), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Josh Murphy, 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan.

Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Ed Byrne, 18. Michael Ala'alatoa, 19. Devin Toner, 20. Rhys Ruddock, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Ciaran Frawley,

Connacht Rugby

15. Tiernan O'Halloran, 14. John Porch, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Mack Hansen, 10. Jack Carty (c), 9. Caolin Blade, 1. Matthew Burke, 2. David Heffernan, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Gavin Thornbury, 5. Leva Fifita, 6. Cian Prendergast, 7. Conor Oliver, 8. Jarrad Butler.

Replacements:
16. Jonny Murphy, 17. Denis Buckley, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Oisin Dowling, 20. Abraham Papali'i, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Sam Arnold, 23. Conor Fitzgerald,