Rhys Ruddock to make first start of the season for Leinster

Fergus McFadden will replace the injured Zane Kirchner on the right wing for Leinster's Guinness Pro12 interprovincial clash with Connacht at the Showgrounds on Friday night (7.35pm).

South African international Kirchner injured a hamstring in last weekend’s victory over the Scarlets at the RDS and is ruled out for three weeks, with McFadden coming in to makes his second start of the season after playing in the opening Pro12 loss away to Glasgow.

Rhys Ruddock comes in at blindside flanker for his first start of the season, with Dominic Ryan moving to openside and Shane Jennings to the bench.

Gordon D’Arcy is named on the bench and is in line to make his first start of the season.

Connacht go into the game after opening their season with two wins and coach Pat Lam makes just one change to his starting line-up with Aly Muldowney replacing Mick Kearney in the secondrow for his first start of the season

Irish qualified Muldowney joins the on-loan Quinn Roux in the secondrow partnership while Galway man John Muldoon will captain the side from the back row.

There are no changes to the young back line with 22-year-old Jack Carty, who earned his first start against Leinster in Galway last season, remaining at outhalf.

There are changes to the bench with the uncapped sub Academy hooker Shane Delahunt and Ronan Loughney named amongst the forwards replacements while Dublin-born Matt Healy could also make his first appearance of the season.

Commenting on the team selection, Lam said: “Aly comes in for his first start after recovering from a pre-season injury sustained in France. It’s great to have further options up front and we look forward to Mick’s impact off the bench.

“With the unfortunate injury to Seán (Henry), young Shane (Delahunt) comes in as a replacement. Shane travelled with us to Clermont and got some game time against a top French side. It’s fair to say he’s pretty excited to be getting an opportunity a lot earlier than he would have expected.

“We’re pleased to have Matt (Healy) and Ronan (Loughney) back for us. They’re both very hungry to play and we expect a powerful impact from the bench if they’re called upon.

“As far as the game goes, there’s no doubt we’re all hugely excited for tomorrow’s game. This is a brilliant opportunity for our young side to test themselves as a team against a world-class side full of quality individuals.”

CONNACHT (v Leinster, Sportsground, Friday, 7.35pm): D Leader; N Adeolokun, R Henshaw, D McSharry, D Poolman; J Carty, K Marmion; D Buckley, D Heffernan, N White; A Muldowney, Q Roux; J Muldoon (capt), W Faloon, En McKeon.

Replacements: S Delahunt, R Loughney, R Ah You, M Kearney, G Naoupu, I Porter, C Ronaldson, M Healy.

LEINSTER: R Kearney; F McFadden, B Macken, I Madigan, D Fanning; J Gopperth, I Boss; J McGrath, S Cronin, M Ross; D Toner, M McCarthy; R Ruddock, D Ryan, J Heaslip (capt).

Replacements: B Byrne, C Healy, T Furlong, T Denton, S Jennings, E Reddan, G D'Arcy, M McGrath.