Leinster and Ulster have named their teams for the New Year’s Day derby game in the URC.
Leo Cullen has made a number of changes to the Leinster squad. However, just Rob Russell is retained from the starting XV that won in Thomond Park on St. Stephen's Day.
Meanwhile, Dan McFarland has made just five changes to the Ulster team which beat Connacht.
Leinster have won their last nine first team matches since their opening weekend defeat at Glasgow in the URC. Whereas, Ulster have won five and lost three in the URC this season.
Ulster have won just twice in 21 previous visits to the RDS Arena. 22-18 in March 2013 and 20-10 in November 2021
“The RDS is up there as one of the most difficult places to go, and you’ve got to have respect for Leinster and what they can do” said Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper.
“We will be preparing well and looking to turn-up on Monday. It’s a really great challenge to get the year started.”
Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Liam Turner, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Russell, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson, Jason Jenkins, James Ryan (C), Ryan Baird, Will Connors, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jack Boyle, Michael Ala'alatoa, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Jack Conan.
Ulster: Will Addison, Rob Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney, Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Alan O’Connor, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, Jude Postlethwaite
Leinster v Ulster
RDS Arena, Kick-Off: 17.15
Referee: Frank Murphy
