Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor says his side must recover from their GUINNESS PRO12 defeat at Munster with victory against Ulster at the RDS. Leinster’s 28-13 defeat in Limerick on St Stephen’s Day signalled an to their five-game unbeaten run in the PRO12. However, the signs are good for O’Connor’s side who have not lost successive encounters in the competition in the same season since 2010/11. Leinster have won their last 19 fixtures in all competitions at the RDS since drawing 29-29 with Ospreys in September 2013, while their most recent defeat at the venue came against Ulster in the PRO12 when Michael Chieka was in charge in March 2013. If Leinster are to bounce back from their defeat they will have to do so without the services of flanker Kevin McLaughlin who has been ruled out for 12 weeks with a shoulder injury. O’Connor has made five changes to the side that faced Munster with skipper Jamie Heaslip back in the fold. Four of the changes are in the pack with Jack McGrath and Mike Ross given starts and Richardt Strauss continuing at hooker. Fergus McFadden – fit again after surgery – starts on the right wing with Darragh Fanning losing out. Ben Te’o also makes the match-day 23 for the first time since October when he fractured his elbow against Edinburgh. "Momentum is important. We took a step backwards last week in relation to our standards and our performance. We need to build on the good bits in that game and rectify the poor bits,” O’Connor said. "We need to put out a performance that is very worthy of beating a good Ulster side at the RDS. Our lads love playing there, a fantastic atmosphere, full house a great occasion and we need to live up to our end of the bargain in relation to that." Ulster meanwhile, defeated Connacht 13-10 in Belfast in round 11 of the GUINNESS PRO12 to avoid a third straight defeat in the tournament. However,the Ulstermen's only victory on the road in any tournament this season was at Cardiff Blues in round 3 of the PRO12. Leinster have won their last four encounters with Ulster and only lost to them once on home soil since 1999. Head coach Neil Doak has made four changes from the side that beat Connacht last weekend with Ruan Pienaar starting after recoviering from injury and Rory Best and Tommy Bowe also returning. While Doak has ruled out Jared Payne, Iain Henderson and Nick Williams, Stuart Olding takes his place in the side after being on the bench last week and Roger Wilson is selected after making a swift recovery from the knock sustained against Connacht. Winger Bowe believes his side have every chance of taking something from the RDS but knows it will not be an easy feat. “We’ve been very close to winning trophies here at Ulster but unfortunately we’ve come up against Leinster when they were one of the top teams in Europe, if not the top team in Europe, over the last couple of years,” he told the Belfast Telegraph. “It has been tough to be sent home earlier or to see them lifting trophies but I think now is a good opportunity. “You have to test yourself against the best and I think this weekend will be a great test. “We always get excited about the matches against Leinster — they’re always a good team to play against.” At RDS Arena, 2.40pm. Live on Sky Sports and BBC Northern Ireland Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 35th competition game) Assistant Referees: Eddie Hogan-O’Connell, Mark Connolly (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU) TMO: Jude Quinn (IRFU)
