Aussie international Sam Carter leads out Ulster for the first time as Leinster name a completely changed line-up for their Aviva Stadium clash tomorrow night (7.35).
Both provinces are already through to the PRO14 semi-finals, so many of the front-liners who were in action from the start last weekend are wrapped in cotton wool for next week - when Ulster will face a trip to Edinburgh in the last four and Leinster are expected to meet Munster.
Ian Madigan gets a first start for Ulster and second row Carter is one of eight changes made by Dan McFarland to his starting line-up, after the Ulster head coach criticised his players' mental approach to last Sunday's loss to Connacht.
Veteran full-back Rob Kearney, meanwhile, gets his chance for Leinster, who struggled under the high ball against Munster last week, with Ross Byrne at no 10 and his younger brother, Harry, waiting in the wings to replace him as Johnny Sexton takes the weekend off.
Having had to withdraw late through injury last week, Rob Herring returns at hooker for Ulster, with Eric O’Sullivan and Tom O’Toole alongside him in the front row.
Matthew Rea comes in at blindside, with Jordi Murphy at openside flanker and Marcell Coetzee at no 8.
McFarland has retained some experience in his back three, with Jacob Stockdale again named at full-back and Rob Lyttle and Matt Faddes will flank him..
While Stuart McCloskey and James Hume continue their centre partnership, Madigan partners John Cooney in the half-backs.
For Leinster, prop Ed Byrne captains the side and Devin Toner, who was yellow carded against Munster, starts in the second row with Ross Molony. Josh Murphy, Will Connors and Max Deegan get their chance to impress in a dynamic back row unit.
Kearney is joined by Hugo Keenan and Cian Kelleher in the back three, while Ciarán Frawley - usually seen at out-half - and Rory O'Loughlin form the centre partnership.
At scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park wins his 90th cap for the Blues, while there will be a debut for Tom Clarkson if he comes off the bench.
Ulster: Jacob Stockdale, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Ian Madigan, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter (capt), Kieran Treadwell, Matthew Rea, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements: John Andrew, Kyle McCall, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Louis Ludik.
Leinster: R Kearney, H Keegan, R O'Loughlin, C Frawley, C Kelleher, R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; E Byrne (capt), S Cronin, M Bent, D Toner, R Molony, J Murphy, W Connors, M Deegan.
Replacements: J Tracy, M Milne, T Clarkson, R Ruddock, S Penny, R Osborne, H Byrne, J O'Brien.
