Connacht travel to the RDS on Saturday evening to take on defending Pro 12 Champions Leinster. Connacht will be looking to build on a couple of encouraging Heineken Cup displays and record their first victory in the capital since a last gasp Mark McHugh handed Connacht an unlikely victory in 2002. While victory is unlikely Connacht need to build on the positives of the last two weeks and build momentum for the months ahead. Leinster started their Heineken Cup campaign with two hard fought wins and having endured a difficult early set of fixtures in the Pro 12 will look to continue their momentum here. 

Leinster Stats
Founded: 1879 
Ground: RDS
Capacity: 18,500
Captain: Leo Cullen
Coach: Matt O'Connor 

Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2013/14: P:5 Pts:14 
2012/13: Winners (Beat Ulster 24-18 in the Pro 12 Final) Regular Season Position 2nd Points:78
Heineken Cup: 2nd in Pool 5 Points: 20
Amlin Challenge Cup: Winners (Beat Stade Francais in the final 34-13) 

Recent Results
Ospreys 9 - 19 Leinster (HC)
Leinster 19 - 7 Castres (HC)

Next Fixture:
Friday 1st November 2013 19.05 Dragons v Leinster @ Rodney Parade

Heineken Cup (Pool 1) (Current Standings)
Leinster 8
Northampton 5
Castres 4
Ospreys 0

Achievements
Heineken Cup Winners: 3 (2009, 2011, 2012)
Amlin European Challenge Cup Winners: 1 (2013)
PRO12 (Formerly known as Celtic League / Magners League) Winners: 3 (2002, 2008, 2013)
British and Irish Cup Winners: 1 (2013)
Irish Inter-Provincial Championships Winners: 20

Players In 13/14
Mike McCarthy from Connacht
Jimmy Gopperth from Newcastle Falcons
Zane Kirchner from Bulls
Lote Tuqiri from West Tigers

Players Out
Fionn Carr to Connacht
Tom Sexton to Melbourne Rebels
Jonathan Sexton to Racing Metro
Andrew Conway to Munster
Heinke van der Merwe to Stade Français
Jamie Hagan to London Irish
Damian Browne to Oyonnax
Mark Flanagan to Stade Montois, Mont De Marsan
David Doyle (Retired)
Eoin O'Malley (Retired)
Isa Nacewa (Retired)

Previous Meetings

Saturday 29th December Rabo Direct Pro 12: Leinster 17-0 Connacht
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2229.php

Friday 28th September Rabo Direct Pro 12: Connacht 34-6 Leinster
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2412.php