Seven Internationals Return To Leinster Team
The Leinster team to face Ulster in Saturday night’s sold-out RaboDirect PRO12 derby clash at the RDS (kick-off 6.15pm) has been named.
Rob Kearney is one of seven internationals to return to the starting line-up following the province’s victory over the Glasgow Warriors last weekend.
The Louth man joins his brother David and Isa Nacewa in the back-three, while Dubliner Brendan Macken, on his 24th senior appearance, lines out in the centre with Leinster’s most-capped player Gordon D’Arcy who 218 caps to his name.
Isaac Boss continues at half-back alongside the league’s current top points scorer, Ian Madigan, who has tallied up 149 points in 18 games to date.
Hooker Richardt Strauss will make his 75th Leinster appearance after recovering from injury and takes his place in the front row alongside fellow Ireland internationals Cian Healy and Mike Ross.
Devin Toner, a second half replacement against Glasgow, partners Quinn Roux in the second row with captain Jamie Heaslip featuring in an experienced back row combination alongside Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin.
Ireland trio Sean Cronin, Leo Cullen and Rhys Ruddock lead a strong replacements bench which gives head coach Joe Schmidt a good deal of options.
Saturday’s eagerly-awaited encounter will mark Leinster’s 100th capped interprovincial fixture of the professional era since August 1995.
LEINSTER (v Ulster): Rob Kearney; David Kearney, Brendan Macken, Gordon D’Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Quinn Roux, Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt).
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Jamie Hagan, Leo Cullen, Rhys Ruddock, John Cooney, Andrew Goodman, Andrew Conway.