Munster and Leinster have both made major changes to their match-day squads, with the sides seeking bragging rights over their bitter rivals.
A win for Leinster this weekend could see them climb as high as third in the United Rugby Championship (URC) table, but Munster could also go top of the table if they take the spoils.
Ireland stars back for Leinster as Munster make mass changes
Munster have also made mass changes to their 23-man squad, with captain Tadhg Beirne, Thaakir Abrahams, Craig Casey, Michael Milne, Lee Barron, Edwin Edogbo and Tom Ahern coming into the group.
Shane Daly and Calvin Nash join South African back Abrahams in the back-three, while Tom Farrell and Alex Nankivell are named in midfield. Ireland duo Jack Crowley and Craig Casey start in the halves.
Gavin Coombes and Jack O’Donoghue join skipper Beirne in the back-row, with Ahren and Edogbo in the locks. Michael Ala’alatoa, Lee Barron and Michael Milne form the front-row.
Springbok lock Jean Kleyn and Dan Kelly are the high-profile names on the bench, while John Ryan could make his 250th appearance for the club.
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British and Irish Lions tourist Andrew Porter and Ireland captain Caelan Doris are the headline changes to the Leinster squad this weekend, as Leo Cullen brings out his stars for the heavyweight clash.
Connacht-linked Ciarán Frawley starts at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and James Lowe on the wings. All Blacks star Rieko Ioane retains his number 13 shirt this weekend, partnering with the returning Robbie Henshaw in midfield. Harry Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park start in the halves.
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Skipper Doris features in a strong back-row alongside Josh van der Flier and Max Deegan, while James Ryan and Joe McCarthy partner up in the locks. Thomas Clarkson and Rónan Kelleher join Andrew Porter in the front-row.
Paddy McCarthy and Tadhg Furlong are two of the Ireland internationals on the Leinster bench, with Cullen opting for a 5-3 split.
The teams
Leinster: 15 Ciarán Frawley, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Max Deegan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 John McKee, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Diarmuid Mangan, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Charlie Tector, 23 Andrew Osborne
Munster: 15 Shane Daly, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Jack O’Donoghue, 6 Tadhg Beirne (c), 5 Tom Ahern, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Lee Barron, 1 Michael Milne
Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 John Ryan, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Fineen Wycherley, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Dan Kelly, 23 John Hodnett
Venue: Thomond Park
Kick-off: 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA / 21.45 SA
Referee: Peter Martin
Assistant referees: Keane Davison and Andrew Fogarty
TMO: Mark Patton
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv