Another scrum and another penalty for Leinster. Ross Byrne sends it into the corner.

Leinster win the throw from the line out but Connacht manage to win the scrum off the back of the maul after Scott Penny got isolated.

It took a couple of bites to get the scrum going and it's Leinster who manage the win the penalty.

Chris Busby is the referee tonight, in case you are wondering.

Leinster have the first scrum of the game in their own 22 after some early Connacht pressure.

Away we go!

Leinster have gathered the ball inside their own 22.

The Aviva Stadium is lit up in resplendent blue as the teams come out onto the pitch.

This should be a good one.

Image source, Getty Images

Leinster second row James Ryan and Connacht centre Bundee Aki have signed contract extensions with the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU].

Aki's new deal will keep him with Connacht and Ireland until the summer of 2026, while Ryan has extended his contract until 2028.

New Zealand native Aki, 34, arrived in Galway in 2014 and made his Ireland debut against South Africa in 2017 upon the completion of a thee-year residency period.

He has won 60 caps and has made a 142 appearances for Connacht.

"I love playing rugby in Ireland and believe that this is the right environment for me to progress as a player," said Aki.

"I would like to thank the IRFU for their support and I'm excited for what the future holds in green in the years ahead."

Ryan has been a key figure for Leinster and Ireland in recent seasons, winning 67 Test caps in addition to his 89 appearances for the Dublin-based club.

The 28-year-old, who has won three Six Nations titles, started three of Ireland's four Autumn Nations Series matches last month.

"Playing in ambitious set-ups is a big driver for me personally and I know how committed everyone in Irish Rugby is to work hard and achieve success," said Ryan.

"It is a privilege to play for my home province and my country and, with the talent coming through the Academy systems, I am excited about what the future holds in blue and green."

The two other Irish provinces have been in action as Munster came out on top against Ulster.

Tom Farrell's hat-trick of tries condemns 14-man Ulster to a fifth successive defeat as Munster snatch a 22-19 United Rugby Championship victory at Kingspan Stadium.

Tom O'Toole's try gave Ulster an early lead but he was then sent off after being adjudged of a dangerous clear-out in a ruck.

Tries from replacement Harry Sheridan and James McNabney put Ulster 19-15 ahead with less than five minutes remaining but Farrell's third try helped the visitors clinch victory, with Shane Daly having scored the other Munster try.

Image source, Inpho

Ireland's Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham have returned to the Connacht line-up for Saturday's United Rugby Championship trip to Leinster (17:30 GMT).

The international trio were rested for Connacht's Challenge Cup games after their exertions during Ireland's Autumn Nations Series.

They will face a much-changed Leinster team with only All Blacks star Jordie Barrett and Jimmy O'Brien retained from last week's Investec Champions Cup win over Clermont.

Barrett, making his first URC appearance, switches from full-back to inside centre while O'Brien moves from the wing to full-back.

With Sam Prendergast rested, Ross Byrne is recalled at fly-half while two-time World Cup winning Springbok second row RG Snyman makes his first start since October.

URC table-toppers Leinster have won all seven games this season while Connacht are eighth after three victories and four defeats, including a 33-12 reverse to Leo Cullen's side in October.

Leinster: J O'Brien; A Arenzana-King, C Tector, J Barrett, A Osborne; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, G McCarthy, R Slimani; D Mangan, RG Snyman; A Soroka, S Penny, J Conan (capt).

Replacements: L Barron, M Milne, C Healy, B Deeny, R Baird, J Gibson-Park, H Byrne, M Deegan.

Connacht: P O'Conor; M Hansen, C Forde, B Aki, S Jennings; J Ioane, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, D Murray; C Prendergast (capt) S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, O Dowling, S Jansen, C Blade, S Cordero, C Oliver.

Image source, Inpho

There's nothing like a bit of festive rugby.

United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster take on Irish rivals Connacht in Dublin and it could be a Christmas cracker.

Leinster have been the team to beat but have named a weakened side with next week's derby with Munster in mind, while Connacht have gone full strength to try and cause an upset.

We'll have live updates right here so you won't miss a thing. Thanks for joining us.