And the two coaches have very different selection problems. Leinster boss Micheal Cheika has filled his bench with internationals, while Ospreys boss Lyn Jones has drafted in young names as the impact of the seasonal programme takes its toll.
Brian O’Driscoll returns to captain the side after missing last week’s 29-0 victory over Ulster and will partner Felipe Contepomi at centre, with Jonathan Sexton continuing at outside half after impressing in that win.
Sexton will be partnered by Chris Keane at half back while the other change in the back line sees Gary Brown start on the right wing in place of Rob Kearney who picked up a slight knock in training during the week.
In the pack, Brian Blaney starts at hooker and lines up alongside Cian Healy and Stan Wright in the front row. Cameron Jowitt partners Malcolm O’Kelly in the second row, while Shane Jennings starts in the back row alongside Stephen Keogh and Jamie Heaslip.
Gordon D’Arcy is one of five Ireland internationals named on the league leaders’ bench alongside Guy Easterby, Keith Gleeson, Bernard Jackman and Trevor Hogan who returns to the squad for the first time since suffering a knee injury three months ago.
The Ospreys have named Jonathan Spratt and Gareth Owen who will form an inexperienced midfield partnership after an injury crisis at centre. Neath three-quarter Spratt, 21, makes his first start for the region. Wales hooker Richard Hibbard starts after returning from a knee problem, but Barry Williams (hip) is a long-term injury.
“This has been an extremely challenging holiday period for our players and although it has brought the best out of them we had a lot of bruised and battered bodies in training,” said Ospreys Coach Lyn Jones.
“We are in confident mood gained from our good form over the last few months, the players are excited and energised by the prospect of playing against individuals of the quality at Leinster’s disposal.
“The team we have selected has a mix of experience and potential and we field a pack of forwards that we are confident are right for this encounter.”
Leinster are unbeaten in their last five league matches and have only been beaten once at home since November 2005. The Ospreys have yet to win on the road in the league in their misfiring defence of the Magners crown.
Leinster: Girvan Dempsey; Gary Brown, Brian O’Driscoll (Capt), Felipe Contepomi, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Keane; Cian Healy, Brian Blaney, Stan Wright, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O’Kelly, Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop, Trevor Hogan, Keith Gleeson, Guy Easterby, Gordon D’Arcy, Christian Warner
Ospreys: Jonathan Vaughton; Nikki Walker, Gareth Owen, Jonathan Spratt, Aled Brew; Shaun Connor, Mike Phillips; Paul James (Capt), Richard Hibbard, Cai Griffiths, Lyndon Bateman, Andrew Lloyd, Hale T-Pole, Ben Lewis, Tom Smith
Replacements: Ed Shervington, Andrew Millward, Alun Wyn Jones, Filo Tiatia, Steve Tandy, Martin Roberts, Adrian Thomas
Referee: Peter Allan (SRU)
