Garry Ringrose captains Leinster for their inter-pro derby with rivals Munster on St. Stephen’s Day.
A team a line-up that sees seven of the players who started last month’s meeting between the two sides in Aviva Stadium feature once more.
Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour and Rob Russell form the back three. Ringrose is joined in the centre by Ciarán Frawley.
Harry Byrne returns to the starting line-up, having missed the Sale Sharks win. Byrne partners Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.
In the pack, there is over 700 Leinster caps worth of experience, with four centurions starting the game. Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Michael Ala’alatoa are in the front row, with Ross Molony and Joe McCarthy packing down behind them.
Max Deegan, Scott Penny and Jack Conan complete the pack, for the St. Stephen’s Day trip to Limerick.
Among the replacements, there is a welcome return from injury for Luke McGrath. The scrum-half last featured in the season opener away to Glasgow Warriors.
Leinster currently top the URC table with Munster in fourth place, six points off the leaders.
Leinster: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Jordan Larmour, 13. Garry Ringrose (C), 12. Ciarán Frawley, 11. Rob Russell, 10. Harry Byrne, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Rónan Kelleher, 3. Michael Ala’alatoa, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Joe McCarthy, 6. Max Deegan, 7. Scott Penny, 8. Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Ed Byrne, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Ryan Baird, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Liam Turner, 23. Will Connors.
Munster v Leinster
Thomond Park
Tuesday December 26, Kick-off: 7:35pm
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
