Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor believes this weekend’s clash with Zebre is the most important of their RaboDirect PRO12 season.

With a raft of players away on international duty with Ireland, Leinster are down to the bare bones somewhat and O’Connor has made number of changes for his side’s first ever trip to Parma.

Leinster's only defeat in their last seven matches in the PRO12 was 6-11 at Edinburgh on 20th December.

And they have not lost to an Italian opponent since they visited Treviso in September 2010.

Leinster have easily won their only two previous fixtures against Zebre with a combined score of 78-29, outscoring the Italians by ten tries to four.

Academy players Sam Coghlan-Murray and Tadhg Furlong get a chance on the left wing and at tight head respectively but O'Connor also welcomes back the experienced duo of Mike McCarthy and Jordi Murphy.

With Zane Kirchner switched from the right wing to full back, Darragh Fanning comes in for only his seventh Leinster appearance.

Brendan Macken gets a chance to impress at 13 with Noel Reid beside him in the centre, while John Cooney and Jimmy Gopperth are selected at half-back.

O’Connor said: "It puts a strain on the squad to lose five guys in the front-row to the national set-up, but that's an opportunity for the guys behind them.

“Currently, we are doing all right. If we had a couple of injuries, that would put us under significant pressure, but I'm sure the guys we put out there on Sunday will be capable of doing a job for us.

"They should know pretty well what they are doing by Wednesday and we have a long week this week, so we have some flexibility in relation to getting our blokes up to speed for Sunday. We'll see how it goes.

"These are the most important four points of the season bar none. The guys understand that. This period will determine whether you make the top four or not or whether you are at home in a semi-final or not.

“These guys understand that, they understand what is at stake, individually and collectively, and I'm sure they can step up to the plate."

Zebre doubled their tally of victories in their history with their 14-12 win at home to Treviso in round 12 and they are now attempting to win back-to-back matches for the first time.

They too are without a host of players on international duty and as a result fly-half Kelly Haimona has been seconded from Calvisano.

They will be captained by prop Matias Aguero who leads the side for the first time, becoming the Zebre’s seventh ever skipper.

At Stadio XXV Aprile. 6pm local time (5pm Ireland & UK) Live on Mediaset.
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 18th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Filippo Bertelli, Frencesco Russo (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Achille Reali (FIR)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)