Ian Madigan will make his first Ulster start against former side Leinster as both provinces bring their regular Pro14 seasons to an end.

Leinster will begin with an entirely new starting XV from the one that edged out Munster.

Ed Byrne will captain the Conference A winners with the experienced Rob Kearney restored at full-back.

The game is going ahead after fears earlier in the week that it might be called off following eight positive Covid-19 tests in Ulster's academy squad.

The senior panel was stood down from training on Wednesday as a precaution, however they resumed a day later after all players and support staff tested negative.

One unnamed member of the Ulster senior squad is continuing to self-isolate and will therefore miss Saturday's game even though he tested negative for Covid-19 after being identified as being a "potential close contact" of the academy players.

Madigan comes up against old side

Ireland international Madigan made his debut from the bench in the second half of last week's game, having joined Ulster from Bristol.

The fly-half replaces Billy Burns, who is not included among the replacements, and will come up against the team he represented until 2016.

Jacob Stockdale is once again selected at full-back with Matt Faddes and Rob Lyttle taking over on the wings.

Rob Herring has recovered from a chest wall injury to return to the front row, while Australian lock Sam Carter will captain the side on his return to the starting XV.

With knockout games in the Pro14 and Europe to come, Leinster have opted to rest the bulk of their big-name players having already secured a home semi-final.

There is still considerable experience in their ranks however with Kearney, Sean Cronin and Devin Toner included for the reigning league champions.

Leinster: Kearney; Keenan, O'Loughlin, Frawley, C Kelleher; R Byrne, Gibson Park; E Byrne, Cronin, Bent, Toner, Molony; Murphy, Connors, Deegan.

Replacements: Tracy, Milne, Clarkson, Ruddock, Penny, Osborne, H Byrne, O'Brien.

Ulster: Stockdale, Faddes, Hume, McCloskey, Lyttle; Madigan, Cooney; O'Sullivan, Herring, O'Toole, Carter, Treadwell; Rea, Murphy, Coetzee.

Replacements: Andrew, McCall, Moore, O'Connor, Timoney, Shanahan, Johnston, Ludik.