McLaughlin back for Leinster

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League derby with Connacht at the RDS. (kick-off 5.30pm)

Kevin McLaughlin is named in the starting line-up for the first time this season and forms a potent back-row alongside Sean O’Brien and Shane Jennings, who leads the side.

Nathan Hines links up with Devin Toner in the second row.

Heinke van der Merwe starts in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss and Clint Newland while Mike Ross and Cian Healy drop to the bench.

Andrew Conway starts on the right wing in a back three which also includes Dave Kearney and Isa Nacewa, with Eoin O’Malley taking his place in the midfield alongside Fergus McFadden.

Paul O’Donohoe gets a rare start at scrum half and links up with Shaun Berne at half-back.

Meanwhile Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named his side for the derby clash in Dublin.

Brett Wilkinson returns from injury and replaces Rob Sweeney in the front row while hooker Adrian Flavin replaces Sean Cronin, who is being rested as part of the IRFU Player Welfare Management Programme.

The side will be captained by Limerick native Keith Matthews, who deputising for the injured John Muldoon for the second game in succession.

Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Andrew Conway, Eoin O’Malley, Fergus McFadden, Dave Kearney; Shaun Berne, Paul O’Donohoe; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Clint Newland; Nathan Hines, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings (C), Sean O’Brien

Replacements: Tom Sexton, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Ed O’Donoghue, Stephen Keogh, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Niall Morris

Connacht: Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Jamie Hagan; Michael Swift, Michael McCarthy; Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor, Eoin McKeon; Cillian Willis, Miah Nikora; Brian Tuohy, Keith Matthews (C), Ian Keatley, Eoin Griffin,Troy Nathan

Replacements: Dermot Murphy, Rodney Ah You, Dylan Rogers, Bernie Upton, Mike McComish, Frank Murphy, Niva Ta’auso, Fionn Carr