Four Changes For Leinster

The Leinster team to face the Ospreys in Saturday’s opening home RaboDirect PRO12 game of the campaign at the RDS (kick-off 6.15pm) has been named.

Luke Fitzgerald has been named on the left wing for the visit of the Welsh side to Dublin after shaking off a groin strain which had curtailed his training this week.

With hamstring injury victim Fergus McFadden unavailable, Brendan Macken continues his centre partnership with Gordon D’Arcy in an unchanged back-line from the side that defeated the Scarlets away last weekend.

Up front, Shane Jennings again leads the side and the forwards are boosted for the round 2 fixture by the inclusion of flanker Kevin McLaughlin and hooker Richardt Strauss in an all-Ireland qualified pack.

Mike McCarthy will make his home debut after appearing as a replacement in Llanelli, while there is also a first start this season for Mike Ross who also featured off the bench in the first round.

Ian Madigan has been named amongst the replacements alongside fellow Ireland internationals Isaac Boss, Sean Cronin and Rhys Ruddock.

Over 14,700 tickets have now been sold for Saturday’s game. Tickets are still on sale online here, and are available from Spar Donnybrook as well as Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

There will also be Ticketmaster booths open from 3pm on Saturday on Anglesea Road and Simmonscourt Road.

LEINSTER (v Ospreys): David Kearney; Darragh Fanning, Brendan Macken, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jimmy Gopperth, Eoin Reddan; Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings (capt), Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack O’Connell, Martin Moore, Tom Denton, Rhys Ruddock, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Darren Hudson.