Leo Cullen rings the changes for Leinster’s clash with Connacht

Isa Nacewa is the only back retained by Cullen with a total of 10 changes made

Leo Cullen has made 10 changes to the Leinster side to take on Connacht in their Pro12 clash tomorrow (kick off: 7.15pm).

Isa Nacewa is the only back retained by Cullen, with the Fijian international, who scored a try and four successful kicks last weekend, moving from the left wing to take up the full back position.

UCD’s Adam Byrne makes his first start of the season on the right wing with fellow UCD man Barry Daly making his first Leinster start on the left having already made an appearance off the bench in Cardiff. Daly has scored four tries in two games for the Leinster ‘A’ team over the last two weekends in the British & Irish Cup.

Two former St. Michael’s pupils Noel Reid and Rory O’Loughlin come into the centre with Jamison Gibson-Park and Joey Carbery, who was announced in the Ireland squad this week, the half back pairing.

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In the pack there is one change in the front row as Seán Cronin starts at hooker with Cian Healy at loose head and Mike Ross at tight head.

Mick Kearney again starts in the second row but is joined by Ian Nagle this week.

Finally in the back row Seán O’Brien again starts but moves from blind side to open side with his place in the number six jersey taken by Dan Leavy.

Jack Conan makes his first competitive senior appearance of the season from number eight having played with the Leinster ‘A’ team over the last two weekends. Conan has recovered from an ankle injury picked up in the pre-season game against Gloucester.

UCD’s Ross Byrne is in line to make his first appearance of the season off the bench. The Academy outhalf made three appearances in total last season.

Leinster: Isa Nacewa (C), Adam Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin, Noel Reid, Barry Daly, Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross, Mick Kearney, Ian Nagle, Dan Leavy, Sean O’Brien, Jack Conan.

Replacements: James Tracy, Peter Dooley, Michael Bent, Mike McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Rob Kearney.