In the second row, Michael Swift will start alongside Andrew Farley, who made his 100th Magners League start last time out.
In a number of positional switches, Troy Nathan reverts from wing to full-back, while Mike McCarthy moves from the second row to the back row and team captain John Muldoon switches to the openside berth.
Gavin Duffy, who featured at full-back against Munster, has been ruled out with a knee injury, joining Tim Donnelly (knee), Johnny O'Connor (calf) and Mike Roberts (calf) on the province's injury list.
CONNACHT (v Leinster): Troy Nathan; Fionn Carr, Niva Ta'auso, Keith Matthews, Liam Bibo; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy; John Lyne, Adrian Flavin, Robbie Morris, Michael Swift, Andrew Farley, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon (capt), Colm Rigney.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Ronan Loughney, Andrew Browne, David Gannon, Kieran Campbell, Andy Dunne, Mel Deane.
