THE PRO14 BOOTROOM
LEINSTER V DRAGONS
RDS Arena, 8.15pm TEAM NEWS: Johnny Sexton leads out a Leinster outfit who are looking to secure their fourth consecutive Pro14 title. Leo Cullen rotates his frontrow with Ed Byrne and Michael Bent deputising for frontline props Cian Healy and Andrew Porter. Rhys Ruddock returns to the backrow while Ciaran Frawley starts at inside centre alongside Garry Ringorse. Hugo Keenan switches to full-back with Jordan Larmour shifting out to the wing with James Lowe completing a pacy back three.
Former Connacht lock Joe Maksymiw starts for the visitors, who also include Welsh internationals Nick Tompkins, Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty. LAST MEETING: NOV 2019 - Leinster 50 Dragons 15 VERDICT: Leinster WHY? The Welsh visitors have recruited well over the summer, but the defending champions will be looking to make a big statement following their loss to Saracens in the European Champions Cup earlier this month. Leo Cullen can also call upon a powerful bench featuring five Ireland internationals and future stars such as Ryan Baird and Max Deegan.
LEINSTER: H Keenan; J Larmour, G Ringrose, C Frawley, J Lowe; J Sexton (capt), J Gibson-Park; E Byrne, R Kelleher, M Bent; S Fardy, J Ryan; R Ruddock, J van der Flier, J Conan. Reps: S Cronin, C Healy, A Porter, R Baird, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Byrne, T O’Brien. DRAGONS: W Talbot-Davies; J Holmes, N Tompkins, J Roberts, A Hewitt; S Davies, R Williams (capt); B Harris, E Dee, A Jarvis; J Davies, J Maksymiw; A Wainwright, H Keddie, R Moriarty. Reps: R Hibbard, C Maguire, L Fairbrother, M Screech, T Basham, T Knoyle, J Lewis, A Warren. Referee: A Piardi (Italy). TV: LIVE on Eir Sport/TG4 from 8pm.
ULSTER V TREVISO
Ravenhill, 8.15pm TEAM NEWS: Promising young centre Stewart Moore makes his senior debut for Ulster alongside James Hume in midfield while Michael Lowry starts at No 10 with Ireland international John Cooney named at scrum-half. Back-row and Academy Player of the Year, David McCann, could make his senior Ulster debut from the bench. Prop Gareth Milasinovich is also set to earn his first cap following his return from a knee injury sustained shortly after joining the province last summer. Italy internationals Jayden Hayward, Abraham Steyn and Sebastian Negri are named in the Treviso starting line-up. LAST MEETING: JAN 2019 - Ulster 17 Treviso 17 VERDICT: Ulster WHY? Recent meetings between both sides have been tight affairs, but home advantage should see Ulster seal a hardfought win to begin their new campaign.
ULSTER: J Stockdale; C Gilroy, J Hume, S Moore, R Lyttle; M Lowry, J Cooney; J McGrath, R Herring, M Moore; S Carter, I Henderson (capt); M Rea, S Reidy, M Coetzee. Reps: A McBurney, E O’Sullivan, G Milasinovich, D O’Connor, D McCann, A Mathewson, B Johnston, L Ludik. TREVISO: J Hayward; R Tavuyara, I Brex, M Zanon, M Ioane; P Garbisi, D Duvenage (capt); C Traore, H Faiva, M Riccioni; M Lazzaroni, F Ruzza; S Negri, A Steyn, T Halafihi. Reps: G Lucchesi, N Quaglio, S Ferrari, N Cannone, E Snyman, G Pettinelli, C Braley, E Padovani. Referee: A Jones (Wales). TV: LIVE on Premier Sports 8pm, highlights on TG4 from 10.25pm.