Felipe Contepomi will become the first overseas player to score 100 caps for Leinster on Sunday © Getty Images

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Felipe Contepomi will become the first overseas player to reach the 100 cap milestone for Leinster when he lines up against Connacht in the Celtic League on Sunday night.

In his 99 appearances to date - where he also became the first Leinster player to pass the 1,000-point mark - he has scored in total 1,043 points. He becomes the 14th Leinster player to reach the century mark.

Commenting on reaching the milestone, Contepomi said, "When I first signed for Leinster back in 2003 I could never have known that I would reach 100 caps. It is a huge honour for me to do so because playing for Leinster means a lot to me. I would like to dedicate this achievement to my family and would also like to thank all my team-mates, coaches and all the supporters over the last five years for giving me the opportunity to play to my best for this fantastic club.

"I am very proud to become the first foreign player to reach this milestone for the province, but the most important thing is to get a win against Connacht on Sunday and we're all focused on getting a positive result."

In other team news, Rob Kearney starts at full-back and lines up in an exciting backline which also includes Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald, who partners Contepomi at centre. Simon Keogh will make his 11th Leinster appearance on the left wing, but his first since rejoining the province from Harlequins over the summer.

In the pack, Stan Wright and John Fogarty come into the front row alongside CJ Van Der Linde with Rocky Elsom also retaining his place to partner Sean O'Brien and Stephen Keogh in a strong back-row formation.

Leinster captain Leo Cullen says that the squad must regroup as they look forward to the derby, "It's going to be a very physical game. Connacht really raise their game when they play against the Irish provinces and we've had some pretty tough games against them over the years.

"It's a very tough place to play. We were lucky to get a very tight win in atrocious conditions down there last year, so we'll have to see what the conditions are like first, but coming off a loss we're keen to get back to winning ways.

"Motivation won't be an issue. There are a few changes in the team again this week and there are places up for grabs. Everyone wants to be playing now with so many big games coming up, and there's going to be plenty of motivation to pick ourselves up and improve."

Connacht boss Michael Bradley has made nine changes from the side that was thrashed by Cardiff Blues last weekend for the visit of Leinster to the Sportsground.

Both Gavin Duffy and Keith Matthews return to the starting line up in the centre having overcome their respective injuries since last week, with Ian Keatley starting at outside-half and Liam Bibo returning to the wing.

In the forwards there is an all new look front row, with Brett Wilkinson and Ronan Loughney teaming up with Sean Cronin at hooker while Michael McCarthy and Andrew Farley start once again in the second row.

Connacht: F Carr; L Bibo, G Duffy, K Matthews, M Roberts; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Loughney; M McCarthy, A Farley; J Muldoon (C), J O'Connor, C Rigney.

Replacements: C Muldoon, R Morris, A Browne, M Swift, K Campbell, T Nathan, J Hearty.

Leinster: Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald, Felipe Contepomi, Simon Keogh, Jonathan Sexton, Chris Keane, Stan Wright, John Fogarty, CJ Van Der Linde Leo Cullen (c), Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh

Replacements: Cian Healy, Brian Blaney, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt, Chris Whitaker, Fergus McFadden, Gary Brown