Caelan Doris makes his100th Leinster appearance and Niall Smyth to make debut against Connacht

RG Snyman joins James Ryan in the engine room while centurion Doris is flanked on either side by Will Connors and Alex Soroka.

Harry Byrne starts at out-half with Fintan Gunne at scrum-half, while Charlie Tector partners Garry Ringrose in the centre.

James Lowe, who stands just one try shy of equalling Shane Horgan’s all-time record of 69 Leinster tries, returns to the team for his first outing since last month’s win over Munster, with Joshua Kenny named on the opposite wing and Ciarán Frawley at full-back.

Rónan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir and Andrew Sparrow offer cover for the front row while Brian Deeny, Jack Conan and Scott Penny provide the heft in a 6/2 split, with Luke McGrath and Ruben Moloney completing the replacements.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Ciarán Frawley (114)
14. Joshua Kenny (7)
13. Garry Ringrose (142)
12. Charlie Tector (23)
11. James Lowe (97)
10. Harry Byrne (82)
9. Fintan Gunne (24)

1. Jack Boyle (37)
2. Gus McCarthy (21)
3. Niall Smyth (0)
4. RG Snyman (27)
5. James Ryan (103)
6. Alex Soroka (23)
7. Will Connors (61)
8. Caelan Doris (99) CAPTAIN

Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (86)
17. Jerry Cahir (5)
18. Andrew Sparrow (2)
19. Brian Deeny (44)
20. Diarmuid Mangan (23)
21. Scott Penny (96)
22. Luke McGrath (245)
23. Ruben Moloney (2)

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU).