Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says he is relishing Saturday’s interprovincial showdown with Munster.

Cullen’s men have won six of their last seven meetings at the Aviva Stadium and, should that trend continue, would leapfrog Munster to the top of the Guinness Pro12 table.

Cullen said: “They are such great occasions.

“The players go at it full on and the crowd feed off that and the players feed off the energy that the crowd give as well. They are great days.

“There’ll be 30 players going hard at it.”

Rob Kearney returns from a month long injury lay off as one of 11 changes to the Leinster side that beat Cardiff Blues last week.

Centre Gary Ringrose is also back and will be partnered by Robbie Henshaw who makes his full debut.

Luke McGrath is back in the fold with Jonny Sexton outside him, while Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong form an all-Irish front row.

Devin Toner will partner former Munster favourite Ian Nagle in the boiler room, while in the back row Rhys Ruddock will play as blindside flanker and Jordi Murphy features on the openside.

Jamie Heaslip is set to make his 221st appearance for Leinster, equalling Cullen’s record.

Munster will be eager to build on their impressive start to the season having only lost one of their last seven Guinness Pro12 fixtures.

However, they will be looking for a dramatic improvement from their rotten record against teams from Irish provinces.

The Red Army have won one of their last five encounters; that victory coming over Ulster in January.

And full-back Simon Zebo is determined to walk away with the bragging rights.

Zebo said: “For the players it means so much and we know how much it means to the fans.

“I think that it’s just the rivalry and tradition that both teams share.”

Munster have made five changes for this weekend’s contest with club captain Peter O’Mahony making a return to the starting line-up for the first time in almost a year.

Niall Scannell and John Ryan will be returning to the front row.

At the back, Rory Scannell returns after a month out through a neck injury while Keith Earls will line up in the centre for the first time this season.

Ronan O’Mahony will start on the left wing.

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 29, Leinster won 17, Munster won 12.

At Aviva Stadium, 2.05pm. Live on Sky Sports and TG4
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 45th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Stuart Gaffikin, Richard Kerr (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)