O'Kelly to win 138th cap for Leinster

Malcolm O'Kelly will become the second most-capped Leinster player of all time with his 138th appearance for the province away to Connacht in the Magners League clash on Friday.

Shane Jennings returns from injury in a back row also containing January's Bank of Ireland Player of the Month Keith Gleeson and Stephen Keogh. Brian Blaney makes a rare start at hooker, flanked by Stan Wright and Ollie le Roux.

Chris Whitaker wears the armband at half-back with Felipe Contepomi and Luke Fitzgerald is kept at full-back.

LEINSTER (v Connacht):

15: Luke Fitzgerald

14: Shane Horgan/Gary Brown/Fionn Carr/Felix Jones (3 to be omitted)

13: Michael Berne

12: Christian Warner

11: Shane Horgan/Gary Brown/ FionnCarr/Felix Jones (3 to be omitted)

10: Felipe Contepomi

9: Chris Whitaker CAPTAIN

1: Ollie le Roux

2: Brian Blaney

3: Stan Wright

4: Trevor Hogan

5: Malcolm O'Kelly

6: Shane Jennings

7: Keith Gleeson

8: Stephen Keogh

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Cian Healy

17: Stephen Knoop

18: Cameron Jowitt

19: Kevin McLaughlin

20: Chris Keane

21: Eoin O'Malley

22: A.N. Other (1 to be added)