Winless Leinster have named five of their British and Irish Lions to start Saturday’s United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks at Aviva Stadium (17:30 BST).
Forwards Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Furlong and Ronan Kelleher and backs James Lowe and Jamie Osborne all return to domestic action after featuring in the Lions’ Australian tour over the summer.
Flanker Van der Flier captains Leinster for the first time, while Harry Byrne starts at fly-half with Ireland international Sam Prendergast not included in the matchday squad.
Former Ireland sevens player Joshua Kenny is poised to make his Leinster debut after being named on the bench.
The 22-year-old trained with the URC champions over the summer, featured in September’s pre-season game against Cardiff and travelled with the squad to South Africa for the defeats by the Stormers and Bulls.
Leinster boss Leo Cullen makes eight changes from the 39-31 loss to the Bulls, with Fintan Gunne making his first start of the season at scrum-half.
Lowe and Osborne’s returns mean Jimmy O’Brien shifts to the wing while Robbie Henshaw moves to outside centre to partner Ciaran Frawley.
The Sharks lost to Glasgow in their opener before a 17-17 draw with the Dragons last week.
Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Jimmy O’Brien, Robbie Henshaw, Ciaran Frawley, James Lowe; Harry Byrne, Fintan Gunne: Paddy McCarthy, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Brian Deeny, Ryan Baird, Alex Soroka, Josh van der Flier (capt), Max Deegan.
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, James Culhane, Luke McGrath, Hugh Cooney, Joshua Kenny.
Sharks: Jaco Williams; Chijindu Okonta, Janco Purchase, Albie Bester, Maurice Willemse; Luan Gilliomee, Juan Loots; Christoff Etzebeth, Andre Davis, Simphiwe Ngobese, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Ulrich van der Westhuizen, Jean-Henri Smit, Van Heerden Pretorious, Thomas Dyer (capt).
Replacements: Shawn Simpson, Luca Veronesi, Nathi Ntuli, Schalk Du Plessis, Yabo Ndzamela, Philip McLaren, Henrico Germishuizen, Chris Horak.
