Paul O'Connell expects Leinster's Ireland core to hit the ground running against the Bulls

Paul O'Connell has backed Leinster's returning Six Nations winners to hit the ground running in the United Rugby Championship tonight as the province welcome the Bulls to the RDS.

Leo Cullen has selected 14 internationals in his matchday squad for the visit of the South Africans, but Ireland assistant coach O'Connell does not expect there to be any ringrust or confusion after two months spent focussing on Test matters.

The majority of Leinster's Test players are well accustomed to flitting between green and blue, with former Munster second-row O'Connell saying experience is key.

"It can be tough, I think for the less experienced guys it is probably tough, for the more experienced guys it is easier. They are used to doing it, they are used to going from province to country and back," said O'Connell, speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

However the switch between Test and provincial duties is easier now, he believes, due to the similarities in how Ireland and Leinster play.

"One of the things that makes it easier from an Ireland and Leinster and provincial perspective is the continuity you have in terms of the coaching.

"There isn't a big change in how you play from one to the other. Leinster play pretty much the same way for a long time now. Ireland have played the same way for a long time now.

"It shows. Ireland in general in the last few years have been very good in how we start tournaments. You might only have 12 days before you play your first game. It shows the players are good at being able to switch from one to the other," adds O'Connell, who today is participating in Team Limerick Clean-up.

It's first versus second in the URC table tonight, with O'Connell expecting top-of-the-table Leinster to prevail against the travelling