In the pack, there’s an all-new front-row of Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan and Jack Aungier, while Cian Prendergast comes back into the side at blindside flanker.

Wilkins has gone for a 6/2 split on the bench. Included among the replacements are Paul Boyle, who could feature for the first time this campaign, and scrum-half Michael McDonald who will make his debut if called upon.

On the challenge that awaits, head coach Wilkins said: “Leinster at The Sportsground is one of the marquee games you look forward to every season. You can feel the buzz of anticipation both among the squad and supporters, and with a sold-out crowd behind us it’ll be a fantastic occasion.

"We’re very aware of Leinster’s strengths and the challenge they’ll pose, but we’re also confident in our abilities and the gameplan we’ve put together. Mack’s return is a timely boost and it’s a 23 I think are well capable of a victory, while also taking into account the short turnaround into Champions Cup next Friday."

"With the stadium at maximum capacity, only supporters with valid match tickets are asked to make their way to the ground. Supporters have also been reminded to be respectful of local neighbours before and after the game."

For Leinster, Leo Cullen has named back-rower Scott Penny as captain on his return to the side, while hooker Rónan Kelleher is in line to make his 50th appearance for the province at The Sportsground.

After replacing the injured Ross Byrne in last week’s win over Munster, Ciarán Frawley starts in Galway at full-back. Rob Russell and Jamie Osborne are on the wing.

In the centre, Charlie Ngatai and Robbie Henshaw partner together for the first time this season, while the same can be said for Ben Murphy and Harry Byrne in the half-backs.

In the pack, Kelleher is joined in the front-row by the returning Ed Byrne and Michael Ala’alatoa.

Ryan Baird and Jason Jenkins make up the engine room combo, while Penny is joined by Max Deegan and James Culhane in the back-row.

In the replacements, Cian Healy is set to make his first Leinster appearance of the season, after missing the World Cup through injury.

Elsewhere, Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has handed World Cup-winning Springbok Steven Kitshoff a home debut for the clash with Edinburgh at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

Injuries have blighted McFarland's Ulster squad so far this campaign, and their injury update prior to Thursday's team announcement brought more bad news in that regard. 

Both Luke Marshall (shoulder) and Iain Henderson (hip) suffered injuries during the Glasgow Warriors encounter last time out, ruling the duo out of selection this week.

Due to a groin injury sustained during the game's warm-up, out-half Jake Flannery will also miss out. 

McFarland has named Tom Stewart and Tom O'Toole in the front-row alongside new signing Kitshoff, while captain Alan O'Connor is partnered by Kieran Treadwell. 

Under-20 Grand Slam winner James McNabney, who made his debut for the province last weekend, wears the No. 8 jersey again. He is supported in the back-row by Matty Rea and Nick Timoney.

John Cooney and Billy Burns in the half-backs and Stuart McCloskey and James Hume in the centre renew their now familiar partnerships.

Will Addison, after making a welcome return from long-term injury last week, is named at full-back. Jacob Stockdale and Rob Baloucoune on the wings complete the starting line-up.

Connacht (v Leinster): Tiernan O’Halloran; Mack Hansen, Byron Ralston, Cathal Forde, Diarmuid Kilgallen; JJ Hanrahan, Caolin Blade (C); Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Darragh Murray, Oisin Dowling; Cian Prendergast, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Seán Jansen.

Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, Paul Boyle, Michael McDonald, David Hawkshaw, Conor Oliver. 

Leinster (v Connacht): Ciarán Frawley; Rob Russell, Robbie Henshaw, Charlie Ngatai, Jamie Osborne; Harry Byrne, Ben Murphy; Ed Byrne, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Ala’alatoa; Ryan Baird, Jason Jenkins; Max Deegan, Scott Penny (C), James Culhane. 

Replacements: Lee Barron, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Cormac Foley, Liam Turner, Will Connors

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Ulster (v Edinburgh): Will Addison; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Steven Kitshoff, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole; Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell; Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, James McNabney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Marty Moore, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham.