Leinster’s Garry Ringrose will make his first appearance since January in URC semi-final against the Bulls

Ringrose's season has been significantly hampered by a troublesome shoulder injury, but his return to face the South Africans is a huge boon for Leinster.

Head coach Leo Cullen, who has resisted the temptation to go for a 6/2 bench split, has otherwise named an unchanged side from last weekend's quarter-final win over Ulster.

Jimmy O'Brien continues at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and James Lowe on either wing. Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw will renew their long-standing midfield partnership, while Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park will hope to have the platform to pull the strings from half-back.

Robin McBryde previews Bulls v Leinster

Much of that will depend on the performance of an all-Ireland pack, led by a familiar-looking front row of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. They will be supported by Joe McCarthy and captain James Ryan in the second row, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris completing a strong forward unit that will need to be on their game against a physical Bulls outfit.

Cullen will be able to call on plenty of experience and quality from the bench, as Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy and Michael Ala’alatoa provide front-row cover, while Ross Molony, Jack Conan, who returns from injury, are also on hand. Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley and Jamie Osborne the back-line replacements.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have recalled fit-again Springbok back-row Marco van Staden, as they are forced to shuffle their back-three in light of Kurt-Lee Arendse's injury. Devon Williams and Sergeal Petersen start in the back three, along with vastly experienced full-back Willie Le Roux.

Bulls: W Le Roux; S Petersen, D Kriel, H Vorster, D Williams; J Goosen, E Papier; G Steenekamp, J Grobbelaar, W Louw; R Vermaak, R Nortje (capt); M van Staden, E Louw, C Hanekom. Reps: A van der Merwe, S Matanzima, F Klopper, R Ludwig, N Carr, K Johannes, C Smith, C Smit.

Leinster: J O’Brien; J Larmour, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J Lowe; R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, J Ryan (capt); R Baird, J van der Flier, C Doris. Reps: R Kelleher, C Healy, M Ala’alatoa, R Molony, J Conan, L McGrath, C Frawley, J Osborne.

Ref: S Grove-White (Scotland)