Leinster, Connacht and Ulster name teams for PRO14 clashes

The province have named their sides for the weekend matches

Recent Ireland debutants Ronan Kelleher and Max Deegan will line out for Leinster against Cheetahs at the RDS on Saturday (KO 2.30pm).

The pair, fresh off making their Ireland bows against Scotland and Wales respectively, line out in a menacing front row for the Blues.

Also on the from the start is Luke McGrath who will partner Ciaran Frawley in the half-backs, while Dave Kearney - another of those released by Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell - will operate on one wing with Fergus McFadden on the other.

Scott Fardy will captain the team and will be joined by Ross Molony in the engine room.

Leinster (team to play Cheetahs):  Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Jimmy O'Brien, Joe Tomane, Dave Kearney, Ciarán Frawley, Luke McGrath; Peter Dooley, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Scott Fardy (C), Rhys Ruddock, Will Connors, Max Deegan.

Replacements:  Seán Cronin, Michael Milne, Roman Salanoa, Ryan Baird, Scott Penny, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Cian Kelleher.

Connacht have named a experienced lineup as they welcome Cardiff Blues to the Sportsground on Saturday (KO 7:35pm).

Ireland internationals Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan are back in the starting fifteen.

And there are plenty of familiar combinations with Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion in at ten and nine, while Matt Healy and Tiernan O'Halloran are also in the backline.

Connacht (team to play Cardiff Blues):  Tiernan O'Halloran, John Porch, Kyle Godwin, Peter Robb, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Paddy McAllister, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler (C). 

Replacements:  Shane Delahunt, Denis Buckley, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Joe Maksymiw, Eoin McKeon, Caolin Blade, Conor Fitzgerald, Tom Daly.

Louis Ludik returns from injury to start for Ulster against Ospreys at Liberty Stadium on Saturday (KO 5.15pm).

He starts in a backline that also includes Stuart McCloskey and Billy Burns who were released from the Ireland squad for the match.

And props Jack McGrath and Tom O’Toole, also in the Six Nations squad, are on the bench ad could be involved in Swansea.

Ulster (team to play Ospreys):  Matt Faddes, Robert Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns, David Shanahan; Eric O'Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Marty Moore, Alan O'Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements:  John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Tom O'Toole, David O'Connor, Jordi Murphy, Jonny Stewart, Bill Johnston, Craig Gilroy.