Leinster's December destroyer of La Rochelle parachuted in for Champions Cup quarter-final

Will Connors wreaked havoc on Ronan O'Gara's attack when the sides met in the pool stages and Leo Cullen said: "I think he's the best chop tackler in the game"

Will Connors has been named in Leinster's Champions Cup line-up for the first time since his outstanding display in December against tomorrow's quarter-final opponents La Rochelle.

Connors was exceptional in defence against Ronan O'Gara's side in the opening pool game that was Leinster's first victory over La Rochelle in four attempts.

The Kildare man comes into the back row for former World Player of Year Josh van der Flier.

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Leo Cullen has also replaced Ross Molony with Jason Jenkins for the Aviva Stadium clash tomorrow (5.30pm) that is expected to be a 50,000 sell-out.

"I think he's the best chop tackler in the game, that I've come across," said Cullen of Connors.

"I'm struggling to think who is better out there. They've got some big guys so get them on their backs and make them have to work, I think he delivers that in spades and we'll see how he goes.

"I thought he did a good job in the pool stage (game), and we'll see how he goes tomorrow.

"But he's a great guy in the squad, lads love playing with him, and Josh will give good impact as well, like he did over there, and we'll need that over the course of the game.

Speaking after Leinster's Captain's Run at the stadium, Cullen added: "We've a good, competitive group anyway, that's the main thing.

"Specifically, you have Ryan (Baird) who has been excellent this year as a six, particularly around the lineout, Will comes in, defensively everyone has seen the strengths he brings to the group.

"They have some big men - it's just trying to get them on the ground. I thought he did a particularly good job in the game against La Rochelle over in France.

"Josh, with him and Jack (Conan) on the bench for impact, and Caelan (Doris) captains the team. He's been going well for the last while, Caelan.

"It's a good combination, just the way we're seeing the games, the impact will be good as well from the two guys, from Josh and Jack on the bench. Having that quality as the game goes on is going to be important.

"In the second row Jason gets the nod over Ross in terms of starting. We see it as a 23-man group. It's not a 15, it's a 23, and guys know they have specific roles when they come on later in the game.

"We'll see how the game plays out, but that's the intention anyway, particularly around that back five.

"The big thing for us is it's amazing to be back here. The public interest in the game in terms of people buying tickets, and wanting to support us, hopefully, is fantastic. We're hugely excited now by the challenge."

Caelan Doris skippers the side with Ross Byrne continuing at out-half alongside Jamison Gibson-Park, last week's man of the match against Leicester Tigers.

The backline remains unchanged, with Hugo Keenan starting at full-back. Jordan Larmour and James Lowe are named on the wing.

With Garry Ringrose still absent, Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne form the centre partnership once more.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and Jenkins in the second row.

Among the replacements, Michael Milne and Luke McGrath come into the matchday 23, in place of Cian Healy, who suffered a leg injury last week, and Ben Murphy.

Commenting on the use of the 6-2 bench split again, Cullen commented: "Prioritising the forwards over the backs to a certain extent, and Ciarán (Frawley) gives us a lot of versatility and coverage there as well, the fact he's played 10, 12, 15, even he's played Test level at 15 as well, and at 10.

"He's hugely experienced now, gathering experience all the time, and he gives us that versatility. You've seen Lukey and Jamison and Josh van der Flier on the wing before, so there's a bit of comfort there as well.

"Guys have been good, it's a short turnaround and that's the big thing for us. It's a short turnaround, but it's a short turnaround for everybody.

"La Rochelle are travelling and all the rest, and lots of commentary around that. It's a short turnaround, just getting the group back ready together again."

O'Gara has made one change to his side, with Teddy Thomas coming back onto the wing and Dillyn Leyds switching to full-back, with Brice Dulin losing out.

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Jason Jenkins; Ryan Baird, Will Connors, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Michael Ala'alatoa, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, Josh van der Flier.

La Rochelle: Dillyn Leyds; Jack Nowell, UJ Seuteni, Jonathan Danty, Teddy Thomas; Antoine Hastoy, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Louis Penverne, Tolu Latu, Uini Atonio; Ultan Dillane, Will Skelton; Judicael Cancoriet, Levani Botia, Greg Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Quentin Lespiaucq-Brettes, Alexandre Kaddouri, Joel Sclavi, Thomas Lavault, Paul Boudehent, Yoan Tanga, Teddy Iribaren, Ihaia West.

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