Jamie Osborne - players.bio

No Bundee Aki for Connacht while Rhys Ruddock set for RDS farewell

Connacht will be without Bundee Aki for their must-win BKT United Rugby Championship visit to Leinster on Friday night, while the hosts have made 14 changes to their side following last weekend's Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse.

Jamie Osborne is the only member of last week's starting side named in Leinster's line-up. Leo Cullen's side will likely need a bonus-point win to secure one of the top two seeds in the play-offs, while also requiring the Bulls to slip up against the Sharks.

Ciarán Frawley, Rónan Kelleher and Jack Conan all start, having appeared off the bench in London last Saturday.

Frawley partners Osborne in the centre, while Sam Prendergast and Cormac Foley are given a start in the half-backs. Prendergast has been the subject of speculation about a loan move to Connacht next season.

Jimmy O'Brien comes in at full-back to replace Hugo Keenan, Tommy O'Brien and Rob Russell starting on the wings.

Friday's Interpro will be Leinster's final game at the RDS ahead of it's summer redevelopment, with any home play-off games set to take place either at the Aviva Stadium or Croke Park.

As such, it's a final game at the RDS for loosehead Ed Byrne, second row Ross Molony and the retiring Rhys Ruddock, who all come into the starting pack.

Byrne joins Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson in the front row, Molony is partnered with Brien Deeny at lock, while Ruddock is alongside Conan and captain Scott Penny in the back row to complete the pack.

Dan Sheehan, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan and Luke McGrath are among an impressive replacements' bench.

Connacht have made six changes to their starting XV following their defeat to Stormers last time out.

Pete Wilkins' side need a bonus-point win to stand any chance of breaking into the play-offs,

United Rugby Championship URC Connacht Rugby Sport Rugby

Leo Cullen Pete Wilkins Luke Macgrath Scott Penny Hugo Keenan Jimmy Obrien Jack Conan Dan Sheehan Ryan Baird Jamie Osborne Ross Molony Max Deegan Rob Russell Leinster Rugby Sam Prendergast

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