RUGBY: Connacht play host to Leinster in what the IRFU has termed a "non-competitive Guinness Interpro" at Ericsson Park this evening (kick-off 5.30). This reduces the importance of the result, though it still gives both coaches the chance to blow away the Christmas cobwebs a week before they return to the European front.
Connacht will be missing a number of players through injury, including Darren Yapp, Eric Elwood and Manus Uijs. Similarly, Matt Williams is not taking any chances with the minor ankle strain Denis Hickie sustained in Lanzarote with the Irish squad.
This is offset by the unexpectedly early return of Gordon D'Arcy in the only change from the team that beat Montferrand.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; T Robinson, D O'Sullivan, S Moore (capt), W Munn; M McHugh, M Walls; D McFarland, H Bourke, P Bracken; A Maher, R Frost; M Swift, E Peters, J O'Connor. Replacements: J Norton, M McPhail, E Reddan, C Keane, R McCormack, W Maxwell, J Flannery, J Muldoon, F Boiroux, C Rigney.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, D Quinlan, G D'Arcy; C Warner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (Captain), S Byrne, E Byrne, L Cullen, M O'Kelly, E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: P Coyle, G Hickie, D Dillon, A McCullen, B O'Riordan, N Spooner, A Magro.
