The 31-year-old No.8, who played his 53rd European game in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup pool stage as Leinster set up a last-16 encounter with Connacht Rugby, comes in as one of nine changes to the side who beat Ospreys 29-7 at the weekend.

Dan Leavy, making his first appearance since November, and Josh Murphy line up either side of Ruddock to form a new-look back row, while Joe McCarthy and Devin Toner partner in a fresh second row.

Prop Ed Byrne is brought in as the only front-row alteration, while there are three new faces in the backs in scrum-half Nick McCarthy, wing Tommy O’Brien and Max O’Reilly.

In the Gallagher Premiership, Bristol Bears, who face Sale Sharks in the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup, have made eight changes to their starting XV as they welcome Wasps to Ashton Gate.

Hooker Harry Thacker comes in along with lock Dave Attwood and flanker Jake Heenan, while Theo Strang and Tiff Eden pair up in a revised half-back combination.

Henry Purdy returns at full-back, with wing Niyi Adeolokun and centre Antoine Frisch also called in. Jake Woolmore is retained at prop to make his 100th appearance for the Bears.

Meanwhile, Sale have made four adjustments as they host London Irish at AJ Bell Stadium. Prop Simon McIntyre and scrum-half Faf de Klerk both step in, while Lood de Jager and Ben Curry, both fit again after short lay-offs, return at lock and flanker respectively.

Harlequins, who face Montpellier Hérault Rugby in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, travel to Worcester Warriors in the other Premiership clash on Friday.

Prop Simon Kerrod is recalled to face his former club at Sixways Stadium, while flanker Tom Lawday returns from injury and wing Oscar Beard starts following Joe Marchant's late call-up to the England camp.

Rhys Ruddock will captain Leinster Rugby on his 200th appearance for the Irish province when they host Lions in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.