Friend sticks Blade in as Leinster recall Irish players

Connacht boss Andy Friend has made one change to his side for their Heineken Champions Cup second leg against Leinster with Caolin Blade starting at scrum-half, while Andrew Porter, Ronán Kelleher and Jamison Gibson-Park have been recalled by Leo Cullen.

Leinster hold a five-point advantage for tomorrow evening's last-16 tie at the Aviva Stadium (5.30pm) after beating Connacht 26-21 in Galway last Friday.

Kieran Marmion is named among the replacements while there's two further changes on the bench, with the inclusion of Denis Buckley having returned from injury, and hooker Jonny Murphy.

Conor Fitzgerald will make his 50th appearance for the province if called upon.

For Leinster, Porter and Kelleher have recovered from injuries suffered in the Six Nations and join Tadhg Furlong in the front row, replacing Cian Healy and Dan Sheehan.

The rest of the pack remains the same with Ross Molony and Josh Murphy in the second row while Caelan Doris, reaching a half-century of appearances for the province, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan complete the forwards.

Gibson-Park, a second half replacement in the first leg, will partner captain Johnny Sexton in the half-backs.

The remainder of the back-line is also unchanged.

Friend said: "While our performance last week was good overall, there was a very real sense of disappointment that we didn't get the win.

"Having said that, I know this group can bring their performance on another level, which is essential if we're to reach the last eight.

"We’ve a good record in the Aviva over the last two years or so and it’s a pitch that suits our style of rugby. Coupled with a strong travelling support behind us it’s set to be another great occasion."

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose,