Second row Tom Denton believes he’s only just scratched the surface after his debut start in the RaboDirect PRO12 saw Leinster victorious, insisting he’s raring to go against Connacht on Friday.

Leinster head to the Sportsground full of confidence, having picked up three wins on the spin – including Denton’s debut last time out against Edinburgh – to move to fourth in the table.

It’s the European champions’ first all-Irish clash this year but history suggests they have nothing to fear after achieving a clean sweep last season with six victories against their compatriots.

Joe Schmidt welcomes back Ireland international Rob Kearney, who makes his first start of the season,
Fergus McFadden starts on the right wing while Gordon D’Arcy partners Brendan Macken, who scored two tries against Edinburgh, in the centres.

Isa Nacewa moves to the left wing while John Cooney and Ian Madigan are the half-backs and in the pack captain Shane Jennings is joined by Ben Marshall and Leo Auva’a.

Quinn Roux makes his second appearance for the province alongside Denton as Heinke van der Merwe slots in the front row.

And Denton is relishing testing himself at this level again.

He said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to come over, one I couldn't refuse.

“The facilities are great, the coaches outstanding and the culture they have here – everyone works so hard.

“I was given my first start last week. Now I want to kick on. The pressure is on, but I prefer to play when the pressure is on because I will raise my game.

“This league is a faster tempo and that makes you a better all-round player. You make decisions and react quicker.”

Connacht’s only victory in their last five RaboDirect PRO12 matches came away to Zebre in round two and they are yet to win at the Sportsground this season but Eric Elwood’s men can take heart from the fact they won this fixture 27-13 in 2010.

They also ended an unwanted run of ten straight defeats against fellow Irish provinces with their victory over Ulster at the Sportsground in April.

Elwood has made a number of changes to his side but Connacht’s record appearance holder Michael Swift keeps his place in the second row to make his 150th appearance in the competition.

Elsewhere, 19-year-old Robbie Henshaw replaces injured Gavin Duffy at full-back while Tiernan O’Halloran and Fetu’u Vainikolo return to the wings with Eion Griffin joining Dave McSharry in the centres.

Dan Parks makes his debut for Connacht, having recovered from a calf injury while up front, Brett Wilkinson makes way for Denis Buckley as loosehead prop while former Leinster prop Nathan White, who also captains the side, starts again as tighthead prop.

Eoin McKeon who started the last two weeks in the number 8 position moves to blindside flanker and joins Johnny O'Connor and George Naoupu in the back row.

Swift said: “Leinster at home is a match that always excites and it's a fixture that we've done well in recently and it will be great to make my 150th appearance – I didn't really know about that to be honest.

“Hopefully we can get the win, losing the first two matches means it has been a disappointing start to the season but like last year, we're not too far away.

“The injury list has been absolutely ridiculous. It's difficult to handle because we've got one of the smaller squad so it has been compounded but then on the plus side, it has giving youngsters the chance.”

At Sportsground, 8pm.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 41st competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Michael Black (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Denis Templeton (IRFU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

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