Leinster V Connacht will see both sides get their 2023 underway as they aim to start the year with victory at the RDS. For Leinster, it has been a perfect season so far, unbeaten in all competitions as they sit top of the URC. For Connacht, they have had an inconsistent season, and will feel like they've left points behind this season. After a tense affair in October, fans will hope for a more open gae to kickstart the year.
Here is all you need to know ahead of Leinster V Connacht.
When Is Leinster V Connacht?
Leinster V Connacht is this sunday on New Year's Day, with kick-off at the RDS at 7.35.
How Can I Watch Leinster V Connacht?
Leinster V Connacht will be shown live on RTÉ Two, with coverage beginning at 7.00.
Form Guide
Both sides come into this game off the back of provincial derbies. For Leinster, they had to show character to grind out a 20-19 win over Munster in Thomond Park. Despite being behind at the interval, a clinical second half along with incredible defending saw Leo Cullen's side overcome their biggest rivals.
For Connacht, their latse second half comeback fell just at home to Ulster. Despite looking dead and buried for large parts of the game, they somehow managed to get themselves within two points of Ulster through Adam Byrne's try, but couldn't get the draw due to Jack Carty's missed conversion.
However, it was yet again another game with too many errors for Andy Friend's side.
Team News
Johnny Sexton captains a Leinster side that contains 13 changes from the team that defeated Munster. Jimmy O'Brien plays at full-back, with Josh Van Der Flier coming back into the side. Brian Deeny makes his first start of the season at second row.
📥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 #𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑!
©️ Johnny Sexton captains the side
🏉 Milne and Deeney set for first starts of the season
🎓 Three Academy players on the bench#LEIvCON #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/zyNWFaPXSt— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) December 30, 2022
Connacht have also made several changes after their defeat to Ulster. Niall and Darragh Murray start at second row, with David Hawkshaw facing his former side at centre.
🟢 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏 🟢
Meet the first Connacht squad of 2023 🙌#LEIvCON #BKTURC
Full story: https://t.co/oJ4bYhKq0m pic.twitter.com/dkfqZxF1Sy— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 30, 2022
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