Leinster defence coach Kurt McQuilkin insists his side will be expecting a much-improved performance from Zebre on Sunday, after their 52-0 home rout of the Italians just two weeks ago.

Memories of the eight-try humbling will still be raw for the Parma outfit, who are without a win in three GUINNESS PRO12 matches following their back-to-back festive derby victories over Benetton Treviso.

Leinster meanwhile are the GUINNESS PRO12’s in-form side, having won nine of their last ten matches and ground out a single-point triumph last weekend at Cardiff Blues.

Zebre have scored just one try and only 11 points in their last four encounters with the Irishmen, and while McQuilkin is wary of a backlash on home soil from Zebre, he believes last week’s solid display could galvanise his young team.

“Those kind of results can define a season without a doubt,” he told the Irish Independent. “To win in those conditions gives you a lot of confidence, but we can't get too carried away either.

"It's good to know that we can go to some pretty dark places and come out the other side of it. It just shows everyone that they can go to those places and come out with a positive result.

“Zebre will be fired up in front of their home crowd. It seems the coaches give them a little more scope when they're at home.

“They can read things and have a crack. We're expecting a pretty tough encounter.

“When we've seen them away, they play quite a conservative game and if things don't come off, they go into their shells. At home they tend to fling it around a bit more.”

Leo Cullen has made eight changes from last weekend’s victory in Wales, with five of those coming in the pack as prop Peter Dooley starts his third game of the season and James Tracy comes in at hooker.

In the engine room Ross Molony comes back in to partner Mick Kearney, who made his debut last weekend, while further back Dominic Ryan will win his 99th cap in blue as blindside flanker and Dan Leavy starts at openside.

In the backs Adam Byrne has been promoted from the bench on the left wing, and Luke McGrath and Cathal Marsh come in to the half backs.

Meanwhile it will be an emotional day for Zebre fly-half Ian McKinley, who starts for the Italians against his childhood club.

The 26-year-old, a graduate from the Leinster Academy, played four times for the province before being forced to retire at the age of 21 after losing sight in his left eye.

But he has returned to play in place of Kelly Haimona, who is on international duty, while Giulio Bisegni comes into the centres alongside Matteo Pratichetti.

Fabio Semenzato also starts at scrum-half, while there are five changes in the pack with Guillermo Roan, Quintin Geldenhuys, Jacopo Sarto, Federico Ruzza, and Johan Meyer all starting.

At Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 4pm local time, (3pm Ireland & UK). Live on Sky Sports and RAI Sport Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 55th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Matteo Liperini, Ricardo Angelucci (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Francesco Grillo (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)