Connacht v Leinster
Magners League
The Sportsground, Galway
Sunday 05/10/2008 (kick off: 6pm)

Michael Bradley has made nine changes to his side for Connacht's derby encounter with Leinster at the Sportsground on Sunday .

Both Gavin Duffy and Keith Matthews return to the starting line up in the centre having overcome their respective injuries since last week, with Ian Keatley starting at outhalf and Liam Bibo returning to the wing.

In the forwards there is an all new look front row, with Brett Wilkinson and Ronan Loughney teaming up with Sean Cronin at hooker and Michael McCarthy and Andrew Farley start once again in the second row.

Meanwhile the Leinster team to face Connacht has also been named. Argentinian International Felipe Contepomi will become the first overseas player to reach the 100 cap milestone for Leinster. In his 99 appearances to date, where he also became the first Leinster player to pass the 1,000-point mark, he has scored in total 1,043 points (31 tries, 156 conversions, 2 drop goals, 190 penalties). He becomes the 14th Leinster player to reach the century mark.

Commenting on reaching the milestone, Felipe Contepomi said: "When I first signed for Leinster back in 2003 I could never have known that I would reach 100 caps. It is a huge honour for me to do so because playing for Leinster means a lot to me. I would like to dedicate this achievement to my family and would also like to thank all my team-mates, coaches and all the supporters over the last five years for giving me the opportunity to play to my best for this fantastic club.

"I am very proud to become the first foreign player to reach this milestone for the province, but the most important thing is to get a win against Connacht on Sunday and we're all focused on getting a positive result."

In other team news, Rob Kearney starts at full-back and lines up in an exciting backline which also includes Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald, who partners Contepomi at centre. Simon Keogh will make his 11th Leinster appearance on the left wing, but his first since rejoining the province from Harlequins over the summer. At half back Jonathan Sexton is partnered by another former Conancht star, Chris Keane who no doubt will be eager to impress on his old ground.

In the pack, Stan Wright and former Conancht captain John Fogarty come into the front row alongside CJ Van Der Linde with Rocky Elsom also retaining his place to partner Sean O'Brien and Stephen Keogh in a strong-looking back-row formation.

Of this weekend's matchday 22, seven players have come through the Leinster Academy system in recent years.

Supporter News:

Connacht will have a second car park at Galway Community College Moneenageisha as part of the Connacht V Leinster match.

Signage will be placed at both sides of the Moneenageisha roundabout directing cars to this car park. This car park will opens from 4.30 pm next Sunday and will close one hour after the final whistle .

CONNACHT:

15: Fionn Carr;
14: Liam Bibo,
13: Gavin Duffy,
12: Keith Matthews,
11: Mike Roberts;
10: Ian Keatley,
9: Frank Murphy;
1: Brett Wilkinson,
2: Sean Cronin,
3: Ronan Loughney;
4: Mike McCarthy,
5: Andrew Farley;
6: John Muldoon CAPTAIN,
7: Jonny O'Connor,
8: Colm Rigney

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Conor Muldoon,
17: Robbie Morris,
18: Andrew Browne,
19: Michael Swift,
20: Kieran Campbell,
21: Troy Nathan,
22: John Hearty

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Shane Horgan
13: Luke Fitzgerald
12: Felipe Contepomi
11: Simon Keogh
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Chris Keane

1: Stan Wright
2: John Fogarty
3: CJ Van Der Linde
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Rocky Elsom
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Stephen Keogh

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Cian Healy
17: Brian Blaney
18: Trevor Hogan
19: Cameron Jowitt
20: Chris Whitaker
21: Fergus McFadden
22: Gary Brown

REFEREE: George Clancy (IRFU),
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU), John Lacey (IRFU),
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

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