Cillian Willis partners Felipe Contepomi at half-back with Rob Kearney and Shane Horgan, both try scorers from last weekend, named in the back three alongside Luke Fitzgerald.

South African international le Roux returns to the front row and lines up alongside Bernard Jackman and Stan Wright, with Leo Cullen continuing his second row partnership with fellow Ireland international O'Kelly.

Leinster captain Brian O'Driscoll said that the squad are determined to put in a strong performance against Munster.

He said: 'There's always great rivalry whenever you play one of the Irish provinces, and Friday night will be no different against Munster.

“It's not just bragging rights at stake, the team who wins can go top of the league. But at this stage of the season, irrespective of Friday night's result, I don't think that either side will think that they're in the driving seat.

'The support that we have received both at home and away this season has been fantastic and it has really grown over the last few years.

“As a player, it really stands to you. Hearing a vocal crowd drives you on and gives you a great boost and I'm sure the Leinster supporters will be in full voice again in Cork.

"Consistency is the most important factor coming into a big game like this. We have improved our away form this year, and that's not easy in a competition as intense as the League because it tends to be more difficult to win away from home.

"There are friends in both camps, but you tend to put everything to one side when you come up against each other. Even if you're team-mates with Ireland, it makes no odds when you play in an Interpro.

"Every player wants to go out and be on a winning side and you play as hard as you can if you're playing against Munster as you would if you were playing against the All Blacks, for example.

"You want to win each and every game you go into.”