The Leinster team to face Munster in Saturday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash in Thomond Park (KO: 6.45pm, LIVE RTE2) has been named. Ian Madigan starts at out-half and will make his 85th appearance and he will link up with Eoin Reddan at half back.
Jamie Heaslip will lead the squad for the 15th time for the trip to Limerick on what will be his 168th appearance for the province. The Naas man is named in a back-row which includes fellow Ireland international Kevin McLaughlin and the returning Sean O’Brien.
Mike McCarthy locks down alongside Devin Toner in an all-Ireland qualified pack, with Cian Healy named in the front-row alongside Sean Cronin and Mike Ross.
The squad are boosted by the return of several players including Australian Lote Tuqiri who starts at outside centre alongside Gordon D’Arcy in a new-look midfield. Brian O’Driscoll picked up a minor calf strain in training this week and will be assessed by the medical team over the coming days regarding his availability for next week’s opening Heineken Cup clash away to the Ospreys. Meanwhile, last year’s Young Player of the Year Jordi Murphy has undergone a procedure on an ankle injury and will be out for a number of weeks.
The back three is unchanged with Rob Kearney continuing at full-back alongside his brother Dave and Fergus McFadden.
Luke Fitzgerald is named on the bench having been side-lined since the opening round victory over the Scarlets and he is included fellow backs Isaac Boss and Jimmy Gopperth. Dominic Ryan’s next appearance will be his 50th in Leinster colours.
LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Lote Tuqiri
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Dave Kearney
10: Ian Madigan
9: Eoin Reddan
1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: Mike McCarthy
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O’Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Martin Moore
19: Rhys Ruddock
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Isaac Boss
22: Jimmy Gopperth
23: Luke Fitzgerald
