The Leinster team to face Aironi in Friday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 match at the Stadio Zaffanella (kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time) has been named.
Luke Fitzgerald has recovered from a neck injury and will make his first appearance for the province in a little over two months.
The Ireland international starts at full-back in a back-three combination which also includes Fionn Carr and Andrew Conway, with the latter set for his fifth appearance of the season.
Eoin O’Malley and Brendan Macken form the centre partnership after finishing the 10-10 draw in Glasgow last weekend, with Ireland scrum half Isaac Boss again pairing up with Ian Madigan at half-back.
Heinke van der Merwe, who scored his second try in Leinster colours on his 51st appearance at Firhill Stadium, continues in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss and Nathan White.
Shane Jennings, meanwhile, leads the team and is named in an all-Ireland international back row alongside Kevin McLaughlin and Rhys Ruddock.
Damian Browne partners Devin Toner at second row, with the towering Meath man, an influential replacement against Glasgow, set to make his 89th provincial appearance.
* The game will be televised live on RAI Sport 2 and there will be live updates via the Leinster Twitter account.
LEINSTER (v Aironi Rugby): Luke Fitzgerald; Andrew Conway, Eoin O’Malley, Brendan Macken, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Nathan White, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings (capt), Rhys Ruddock.
Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Jack McGrath, Jamie Hagan, Leo Auva’a, Dominic Ryan, John Cooney, Noel Reid, Isa Nacewa.
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