Champions Cup - Connacht v Leinster
ROUND 16 PREVIEW FRIDAY: Friday’s Champions Cup Round of 16 first leg at The Sportsground will be Connacht’s first in the knockout stage of Europe’s premier club rugby competition.
The return leg between the sides takes place next Friday, April 15, at Aviva Stadium.
Having integrated some of the returning internationals into the lineup for last weekend’s win at Thomond Park, Cullen has added captain Johnny Sexton into the matchday squad this week.
The St Mary’s College man will be joined in the halfbacks by Luke McGrath, playing inside the same backline that started against Munster.
Hugo Keenan remains at fullback with Jimmy O’Brien, scorer of four tries in Leinster’s last European outing, and James Lowe on the wings.
Garry Ringrose once again partners Robbie Henshaw in midfield.
In the pack, Cullen has made wholesale changes to the front five with Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony and Josh Murphy coming in.
Behind them, the back row of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan goes unchanged.
The replacements bench contains James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Devin Toner, Max Deegan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne and Ciarán Frawley.
Meanwhile Connacht head coach Andy Friend is able to welcome back a number of key players just in time for the occasion.
British & Irish Lion Bundee Aki returns for his first appearance since before the Six Nations, while there’s also a first start of the season for Gavin Thornbury after an impressive cameo off the bench last weekend following an 11-month absence.
The third and final change is the inclusion of club captain Jarrad Butler after missing the win over Benetton through injury.
He forms a back row with flankers Cian Prendergast and Conor Oliver, while Leva Fifita partners Thornbury. The front row of Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged.
Match captain Jack Carty starts at 10 beside Kieran Marmion, while Aki will have Tom Farrell for company at outside centre. A back three of fullback Tiernan O’Halloran and wingers Mack Hansen and John Porch completes the side.
Commenting on the historic fixture Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan said: “It’s the reason you play the game as a kid – it’s those massive games you dream about playing in.
"We’re dying to play in front of a packed Sportsground this weekend and we know it’s a special occasion for them, so we want to reward their support with a massive performance.”
Leinster hooker James Tracy revealed: “We’re under no illusion that we’re going into the lion’s den.
"Going down to Connacht is going to be a tough battle.
"But we’re going to have a great week’s prep and go firing into it.”
Prediction
@rugby365com: Leinster by five points
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 John Porch, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Jack Carty (captain), 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Leva Fifita, 4 Gavin Thornbury, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Matthew Burke
Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Tietie Tuimauga, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Oisín Dowling, 20 Abraham Papali’i, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Conor Fitzgerald, 23 Sammy Arnold
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 Josh Murphy, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Ciarán Frawley
Date: Friday, April 8
Venue: The Sportsground, Ireland
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Michael Hudson (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: David Rose (England)