Heaslip To Lead Leinster Against Treviso

The Leinster team to face Benetton Treviso in Saturday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at the Stadio di Monigo (kick-off 7.05pm local time/6.05pm Irish time) has been named.

The province can welcome back a number of their Ireland internationals for the first time following their summer break.

Amongst the returning players is Jamie Heaslip who captains the team and the number 8 forms an all-Ireland international back row with Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin.

Devin Toner will become the 20th Leinster player to reach the 100-cap milestone, linking up with Damian Browne in the second row.

Heinke van der Merwe, a second half replacement in the home win over the Dragons last weekend, is joined in the front row by hooker Richardt Strauss and Ireland tighthead prop Mike Ross.

In the back-line Fergus McFadden, who is set to make his 75th Leinster appearance, partners Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll at centre.

Eoin Reddan will combine at half-back with Jonathan Sexton, with Ian Madigan, fresh from an 18-point haul against the Dragons, shifting to full-back.

Both Fionn Carr and Andrew Conway continue on the wings, while the province’s regular captain Leo Cullen is one of three Ireland internationals included on the bench alongside Isa Nacewa.

Saturday’s match will be streamed live on the TG4 website, and is also available to view on Sport Italia 2.

LEINSTER (v Benetton Treviso): Ian Madigan; Andrew Conway, Brian O’Driscoll, Fergus McFadden, Fionn Carr; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt).

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Jamie Hagan, Leo Cullen, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Noel Reid, Isa Nacewa.