Leinster and Connacht sides named for PRO12 derby
Leinster and Connacht have both named strong sides for their PRO12 clash in Galway on Friday night.
Connacht coach Pat Lam has made just one change to the side that earned a one point victory over Edinburgh last weekend.
Lock Aly Muldowney makes his first start of the season, replacing Mick Kearney in the second row. Otherwise the starting 15 is unchanged with three new faces on the bench - Shane Delahunt, Ronan Loughney and Matt Healy.
Fergus McFadden and Rhys Ruddock have both come into the starting 15 for Leinster.
McFadden starts in place of Zane Kirchner, who was injured in last week’s comfortable win over Scarlets and Ruddock has been named at number six - with Dominic Ryan moving to number seven.
Veterans Gordon D’Arcy and Shane Jennings have both been named among the replacements.
Darragh Leader, Niyi Adeolokun, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Danie Poolman, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Nathan White,. Aly Muldowney, Quinn Roux, John Muldoon - capt, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.
Shane Delahunt, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Mick Kearney, George Naoupu, Ian Porter, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy.
Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Darragh Fanning, Jimmy Gopperth, Isaac Boss, Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Jamie Heaslip - capt.
Bryan Byrne, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Tom Denton, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Gordon D'Arcy, Mick McGrath.
The match kicks-off at 7.35pm on Friday September 19 at the Sportsground arena.
