Leinster make 13 changes ahead of Connacht clash

Leinster have made thirteen changes to the team to take on Connacht Rugby in Round 8 of the United Rugby Championship at Aviva Stadium (KO: 5.30pm, live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports 1).Jack Conan captains the side from no8 with Alex Soroka, who is making his first appearance of the season, and Scott Penny joining him in the back row.Diarmuid Mangan is one of five Academy players named in the starting XV and he will partner RG Snyman in the second row. Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani will scrum down either side of Academy hooker Gus McCarthy in a repeat of the same front row who faced Connacht in October.

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Jordie Barrett switched to 12 with Jimmy O'Brien swapping from the wing to full-back.

The experienced duo of Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath will steer the ship from the halfback positions, with Academy star Charlie Tector selected to partner Barrett in the centre.With O'Brien at full-back, the Academy pair of Andrew Osborne, who scored in October's win over Connacht in Galway, and Aitzol Arenzana-King have been given the nod on the wings.Lee Barron, Michael Milne and Cian Healy provide the front row cover from the bench with Brian Deeny, Ryan Baird and Max Deegan offering further reinforcements in a 6-2 split.Jamison Gibson-Park and Harry Byrne will provide a change of pace as the replacement halfbacks.

There are 13 changes in personnel to the starting XV from last Saturday's 15-7 win over ASM Clermont Auvergne

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):15. Jimmy O’Brien (87)14. Aitzol Arenzana-King (2)13. Charlie Tector (12)12. Jordie Barrett (2)11. Andrew Osborne (6)10. Ross Byrne (171)9. Luke McGrath (218)1. Jack Boyle (14)2. Gus McCarthy (8)3. Rabah Slimani (7)4. Diarmuid Mangan (4)5. RG Snyman (7)6. Alex Soroka (9)7. Scott Penny (75)8. Jack Conan (155) CAPTAINReplacements:16. Lee Barron (20)17. Michael Milne (46)18. Cian Healy (283)19. Brian Deeny (28)20. Ryan Baird (74)21. Jamison Gibson-Park (148)22. Harry Byrne (71)23. Max Deegan (121)

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