Jenkins comes into the aspect instead of Ross Molony, who drops to the bench, whereas Connors, who was excellent in Leinster’s win in La Rochelle earlier this season, replaces Josh van der Flier within the again row, as Cullen opts for a 6/2 cut up on the bench.
Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour and James Lowe proceed within the back-row for Leinster. As anticipated, Garry Ringrose’s troublesome shoulder harm guidelines him out, which suggests Jamie Osborne retains his place in midfield alongside Robbie Henshaw.
Ross Byrne additionally retains his place forward of youthful brother Harry, who misses out on choice totally. Final week’s player-of-the-match Jamison Gibson-Park companions Byrne at half-back
Within the pack, Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan be part of Tadhg Furlong within the entrance row, with Jenkins linking up with Joe McCarthy within the engine room.
Ryan Baird and captain Caelan Doris are once more named within the again row, the place they’re joined by Leinster’s chop-tackling machine Connors.
With Healy lacking out, Michael Milne will present loosehead cowl, whereas Molony, Van der Flier and Jack Conan are a part of the six forwards named on the bench, with scrum-half Luke McGrath and versatile again Ciarán Frawley additionally included.
“We have a superb, aggressive group anyway, that is the principle factor,” Cullen mentioned.
“Particularly, you’ve Ryan who has been glorious this yr as a six, significantly across the lineout. Will is available in, once more defensively everybody has seen the strengths he brings to the group.
“They’ve some huge males, simply making an attempt to get them on the bottom, I assumed he did a very good job within the sport in opposition to La Rochelle over in France.
“Josh, with him and Jack on the bench for impression, and Caelan captains the group. He is been going nicely for the final whereas, Caelan. It is a good mixture, simply the best way we’re seeing the video games, the impression might be good as nicely from the 2 guys, Josh and Jack on the bench. Having that high quality as the sport goes on goes to be necessary.
“Within the second row, Jason will get the nod over Ross when it comes to beginning. We see it as a 23-man group. It is not a 15, it is a 23, and guys know they’ve particular roles after they come on later within the sport.
“We’ll see how the sport performs out, however that is the intention anyway, significantly round that again 5. The entrance row is fairly comparable, Mikey Milne comes onto the bench.
“Once more that was a detailed name, he is been going nicely, Mikey, with Cian, so he is been glorious when it comes to impression off the bench. Hopefully we’ll see a few of that in an enormous sport.
“6/2, prioritising the forwards over the backs to a sure extent, and Ciarán offers us quite a lot of versatility and protection there as nicely, the actual fact he is performed 10, 12, 15, even he is performed Check stage at 15 as nicely, and at 10. He is massively skilled now, gathering expertise on a regular basis, and he offers us that versatility. You’ve got seen Lukey and Jamison and Josh van der Flier on the wing earlier than, so there is a little bit of consolation there as nicely.
“Guys have been good, it is a quick turnaround and that is the massive factor for us. It is a quick turnaround, nevertheless it’s a brief turnaround for everyone. La Rochelle are travelling and all the remaining, and many commentary round that. It is a quick turnaround, simply getting the group again prepared collectively once more.
“The massive factor for us is it is wonderful to be again right here. The general public curiosity within the sport when it comes to folks shopping for tickets, and desirous to help us, hopefully, is implausible. We’re massively excited now by the problem.”
Ronan O’Gara has been compelled to maneuver Dillyn Leyds from the wing to full-back in Dublin’s absence, as Teddy Thomas comes onto the wing. France centre Jonathan Danty has been handed match and is known as in midfield. Former Connacht and Eire second-row Ultan Dillane additionally begins alongside Leinster’s nemesis Will Skelton.
Leinster – H Keenan; J Larmour, R Henshaw, J Osborne, J Lowe; R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, J Jenkins; R Baird, W Connors, C Doris (capt). Reps: R Kelleher, M Milne, M Ala’alatoa, R Molony, J Conan, L McGrath, C Frawley, J van der Flier.
La Rochelle – D Leyds; J Nowell, UJ Seuteni, J Danty, T Thomas; A Hastoy, T Kerr-Barlow; L Penverne, T Latu, U Atonio; U Dillane, W Skelton; J Cancoriet, L Botia, G Alldritt (capt). Reps: Q Lespiaucq, A Kaddouri, J Sclavi, T Lavault, P Boudehent, Y Tanga, T Iribaren, I West.