Leo Cullen has hailed the return of power pair Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher as the Blues look to finish off Connacht in their Champions Cup round of 16 second leg meeting at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.
Their return after suffering injuries during the Six Nations means the Blues will boast their strongest front row from the start as Cian Healy and Dan Sheehan make way for the clash.
Over 30,000 tickets have been sold for the Good Friday collision.
"Yeah it's huge, all the lads trained towards the end of last week, to bring Andrew and Rónan back in, that front row has worked together quite a bit and it's a great combination to have," said Cullen.
"Andrew, when he moved from tighthead to loosehead at the start of the season, he's a remarkable character and was going incredibly well until the injury to his ankle.
"Rónan has been training a bit longer because he's been able to do more, the two of them bring a lot of power in particular.
"Jordan (Larmour) was a little unlucky, he could come back into the team next week but it's great to have that power, it's much needed. "
Jamison Gibson-Park, who had a citing complaint dismissed in midweek for a high challenge on Kieran Marmion, also starts in place of Luke McGrath at scrum-half.
"In terms of Johnny (Sexton) and Jamison, they played together a lot during the Six Nations.," said Cullen.
"We'll see how the guys go, for us having that level of half-backs off the bench is hugely important to us as well and you can see how we've mixed and matched those guys over the course of a few seasons.
"We're blessed with the quality of those guys. "
Otherwise, it's as you were for Leinster as Caelan Doris makes his 50th appearance for the province. If he comes on, Ciarán Frawley will also reach that mark.
Connacht have made just one change to their line-up, with Marmion replaced by Caolan Blade.
Marmion is on the bench along with long-serving prop Denis Buckley, who has recovered from injury, and hooker Johnny Murphy.
Conor Fitzgerald will make his 50th appearance for the province if called upon.
Westerners boss Andy 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."
Cullen expects that Connacht will throw the kitchen sink at Leinster as they look to make up a five-point deficit from the first leg at the Sportsground last Friday.
"It's up to us to throw the kitchen sink back at them as well and defensively be able to shut them down," stated the Blues supremo.
"There were a few occasions we looked to be exposed and we've worked hard on that this week, but I'm sure Connacht have been working hard on things as well.
"The obvious thing is the start - start the game well. Connacht had us under the pump when they score the try at the start of the game.
"There were some parts of the game when we were strong, in the scrum in particular, it's just trying to go after areas like that to establish dominance.
"It's going to be a great contest again, both teams want to have a strong attacking intent and one of Connacht's strengths is their phase attack and playing flat to the line, just defensively we have to be a bit sounder.
"It would be nice to get a good start to give us some control."
Control is of major importance, Cullen feels, given what is at stake for both provinces in the win or bust tie.
"We have to make sure our players have that emotional control, it's hugely important," said Cullen, hoping to avoid any yellow or red cards tomorrow.
"The occasion is very important but we have to get to the pitch of the game and make sure we're in the right headspace, and make sure we're not over-aroused, I think that's the right phrase.
"For us it's a new game, a one-off. It's just a knock-out game for us and yeah, it's all in the balance really.
"It's 0-0, we have five points to play with but it's such a small margin.
"The guys have been here loads of times so there is that familiarity as well, but when you're playing for your provincial team and are here representing all those people who have played a part getting these guys running out at the Aviva, that's a huge thing for us.
"So for us it's about delivering a big performance for those people.
"It's a great occasion but the provincial grounds are a bit different, the Aviva is our national ground but it's great more people can go and there are still a few tickets left, it's a great showcase and hopefully we can put on a big show tomorrow."
Leinster: Keenan, J O'Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe, Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, Molony, Murphy, Doris, van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: Sheehan, E Byrne, Ala'alatoa, Toner, Ruddock, McGrath, R Byrne, Frawley.
Connacht: O'Halloran, Porch, Farrell, Aki, Hansen, Carty (capt), Blade; Burke, Heffernan, Bealham, Thornbury, Fifita, Prendergast, Oliver, Butler.
Replacements: Murphy, Buckley, Aungier, Dowling, Papali'i, Marmion, Arnold, Fitzgerald.
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