For the first time since the end of August, Leinster have been able to call on their full compliment of Ireland internationals as they seek to breath life into their faltering Celtic League campaign.
Matt Williams, who has witnessed his side lose their last four matches on the trot, welcomes back nine of his international stars for the visit of Newport to Donnybrook with nothing less than a resounding victory good enough for Leinster.
The defending champions currently languish in sixth place and with only two pool matches remaining, time is running out. The best Williams can hope for to secure a play-off berth is two high-scoring victories and for other results to go in his favour.
And with the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Denis Hickie, Malcolm O’Kelly and skipper Reggie Corrigan back in action, bottom placed Newport can expect a backlash on Friday night.
Andy Dunne, who injured a shoulder last weekend in Scotland, has been replaced at out-half by Christian Warner, while there remains a doubt over the availability of Adam Magro.
Leinster: 15 G Dempsey 14 D Hickie 13 B O'Driscoll 12 S Horgan 11 G D'Arcy 10 C Warner 9 B O'Meara 1 R Corrigan (Cap) 2 S Byrne 3 P Wallace 4 L Cullen 5 M O'Kelly 6 E Miller 7 K Gleeson 8 V Costello Replacements: 16 E Byrne 17 P Smyth 18 A Kearney 19 D Dillon 20 B O'Riordan 21 D Quinlan / A Magro 22 M Leek/ K Lewis