Matthews to start for Connacht

Keith Matthews will start for Connacht for the first time since November against Leinster in the Magners League at The Sportsground on Friday, kick-off at 7.30pm.

There are three changes in all as Conor O'Loughlin comes back in at scrumhalf and John Muldoon moves across to blindside flanker for the injured Michael McCarthy, to allow Colm Rigney come in at eight.

Ireland internationals Gavin Duffy and Johnny O'Connor and captain Andrew Farley will be charged with leading the chase to leapfrog Ulster.

CONNACHT (v Leinster): G Duffy; K Matthews, M Mostyn, M Deane, A Wynne; A Dunne, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley (Capt); J Muldoon, J O'Connor, C Rigney.

Replacements: J Merrigan, R Loughney, D Gannon, R Ofisa, C McPhillips, T Donnelly, L Bibo.