Leinster stick with same starting XV as Hickie returns on bench

Leinster & Ireland star Denis Hickie returns to the Leinster squad for Saturday’s Celtic League clash with Munster at Donnybrook (5.15pm).

The 28-year-old winger has been recalled after close to a year on the sidelines and has been joined on the bench by close season signings Ireland scrum-half Guy Easterby and England ‘A’ prop Ricky Nebbett, as well as Eric Miller in the only changes to the squad who defeated Ulster 25-16 at Ravenhill last weekend.

Declan Kidney has kept faith with the same starting XV from that game, meaning that the pack has remained the same for the third successive game.

Brian O’Meara again partners David McAllister at half-back while David Quinlan who impressed in last weekend’s win is joined by try-scorer Christian Warner at centre.

With Miller, Costello, Hickie and Easterby keeping it warm, it’s a hell of a bench that Kidney can call on.

* Meanwhile, the Leinster Branch has announced that Stand tickets for Saturday’s game have now sold out. Limited terrace tickets are still available from www.leinsterrugby.ie , Spar Donnybrook, Elvery’s Suffolk & Dawson St and the Leinster Rugby shop in Donnybrook (3pm-7pm, Monday-Friday & 10am-2pm weekend).

Leinster:
15: James Norton
14: John McWeeney
13: Christian Warner
12: David Quinlan
11: Gary Brown
10: David McAllister
9: Brian O’Meara
1: Emmett Byrne
2: Gavin Hickie
3: Peter Coyle
4: Leo Cullen (Captain)
5: Ben Gissing
6: Aidan McCullen
7: Shane Jennings
8: Des Dillon
Replacements:

16: Ricky Nebbett
17: David Blaney
18: Eric Miller
19: Victor Costello
20: Guy Easterby
21: Kieran Lewis
22: Denis Hickie