What time and what TV channel is Connacht v Leinster on? Kick-off time, TV and live stream details for the United Rugby Championship match

Leinster travels west for this weekend’s United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht. Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

Where and when is it running?

Saturday’s game will be played at Galway Sports Ground with kick-off at 7.35pm.

What’s new from the team?

Andy Friend and his coaching staff have made seven changes to the squad that faced Edinburgh three weeks ago. Denis Buckley, Niall Murray, Jarrad Butler, Kieran Marmion, Oran McNulty, Tom Farrell and Tiernan O’Halloran are all in the starting XI.

Connacht (s. Leinster): Tiernan O’Halloran; John Porch, Tom Farrell, Tom Daly, Oran McNulty; Jack Carty (Captain), Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier; Oisin Dowling, Niall Murray; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler.

Replacement: Jonny Murphy, Matthew Burke, Greg McGrath, Ultan Dillane, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Sammy Arnold, Diarmuid Kilgallen.

There is a welcome return to the Leinster lineup for center Ciarán Frawley, who has recovered from a facial injury. He is supported in midfield by Jamie Osborne.

Lester: Jimmy O’Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Ciarán Frawley, Rory O’Loughlin; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath (Captain); Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Michael Ala’alatoa; Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny, Max Deegan.

Replacement: Seán Cronin, Ed Byrne, Thomas Clarkson, Josh Murphy, Martin Moloney, Nick McCarthy, David Hawkshaw, Chris Cosgrave.

Where can I see the game?

The game will be broadcast live on RTE 2 & Premier Sports 1. The game will also be streamed live on the RTE Player.

What can I read about under construction on Independent.ie?

Rúaidhrí O’Connor has examined what remains to be played for the provinces.

Leinster’s record holder Devin Toner announced his plans to retire on Monday and David Kelly takes a look at Castle’s glittering career.

In the latest Left Wing podcast, Sinéad Kissane was joined by former Irish support Lindsay Peat and Irish independent rugby writer Cian Tracey for an outlook on the tournament.

Flanker Edel McMahon, who was in the starting XI on Saturday, was also on the show and told Sinéad about the mood in the Irish camp ahead of the Wales game.

And if you want to catch up on the weekend’s Six Nations action, Irish independent rugby writers Rúaidhrí O’Connor and Cian Tracey have joined Aviva Stadium’s Sinéad Kissane after Ireland’s win over Scotland earned them a triple crown in Dublin – title brought.

Luke Fitzgerald and Will Slattery return to the regular Left Wing Show on Wednesday for more rugby discussion and analysis.

For more episodes of Left Wing, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

What are the match odds?

Leinster is favorite at 1/6 with Connacht 4/1 and the draw at 20/1.

What do the trainers say?

Leo Cullen on James Ryan’s concussion:

“We are optimistic. He obviously got a pretty old punch into the game. It’s the kind of tackle that World Rugby wants to get rid of.

“Everyone understands the red card, even if Charlie Ewels may not have intended it. He got it wrong and it results in a player going off the field and James taking a punch.

“He seems to have done well. He’s not with us again. He’s only on sabbatical at the moment. And we’re going to make sure he’s seen by the right people and we’re going to take care of him as best we can.

“This is the hardest part of the game right now, headknocks. Let’s call a spade a spade. We want to make sure we’re the best of the players and we’ll make sure he’s looked after as best we can.”

Andy friend:

“It’s been three weeks since our last game so we’ve had plenty of time to reflect on Edinburgh’s performance and understand what happened and we’ve had a good two weeks of training since then.

“The Champions Cup games weren’t discussed because tomorrow is a big game in itself. We’ve got our backs against the wall if we’re going to make the playoffs and with a massive crowd behind us, I’m confident all 23 men will put on a performance that I know they are capable of. “