Pat Lam says his Connacht side are excited about the prospect of squaring off against Leinster at the RDS this Friday in a clash that could have dramatic ramifications for the top of the GUINNESS PRO12.

Leinster climbed into third place in the GUINNESS PRO12 table with their fifth successive victory in the tournament, at Munster on Sunday while Connacht remain second in the standings despite a second successive loss, at home to Ulster on Saturday.

The Leinstermen have won all five home games in the PRO12 this season while their only defeat at the RDS Arena in the tournament since March 2013 was to Newport Gwent Dragons in February.

There are wholesale changes for Leo Cullen and Leinster with 11 players coming into the starting XV.

Luke McGrath and Johnny Sexton are among those who come in with Ben Te’o also getting the nod while Sean O’Brien will make his 100^th appearance for Leinster should he come off the bench.

But Lam isn’t afraid of the challenge and believes his Connacht side are more than a match for their rivals.
"I'm pleased with the quality of the week's preparation we have had as a squad,” said Lam.

“We travel to Dublin tomorrow confident in the knowledge that we have a good chance of getting the points on offer against Leinster as long as we play as a team and can take the opportunities we create.

“Although we face a big hurdle at the RDS, we are excited by it and are looking forward to the challenge."

Connacht have gained at least one league point from each of their last twelve fixtures in the GUINNESS PRO12 and will be looking to add to that under the Friday night lights.

Each side won its respective home games when the two teams clashed in the GUINNESS PRO12 last season while Connacht have never won in their eight previous visits to the RDS Arena, with their only victory in Dublin since 1985 coming at Donnybrook in 2002.

There are three changes for Lam’s side with Tom McCartney returns from injury along with Jake Heenan – who underwent shoulder surgery in May.

There is also a starting berth for Andrew Browne and he will join Aly Muldowney in the second row.

"It's great to have both Tom (McCartney) and Jake (Heenan) back from injury and ready for this game having joined us in training over the past few weeks,” Lam added.

“Tom adds that bit of experience and leadership that is needed in these big games, especially with our young back line.

“We are all delighted to see Jake returning after what has been a challenging six months for him. He has worked extremely hard to get back to this point with the help of our medical and S&C teams and he is raring to go.”

At RDS Arena, 5pm.
Live on TG4

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 75th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Mark Patton (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)