Since joining Leinster, Galway has only won the Bob O'Keeffe Cup three times, while Kilkenny has dominated with ten titles over the same period.
Jamie Osbourne will reprise his summer role at full-back, while Garry Ringrose and James Ryan start for Leinster's URC opener against Edinburgh. The team mixes youth and experience, with Jamison Gibson-Park returning from injury to partner with Sam Prendergast at half-back.