Ahead of this afternoon’s Captain’s Run in UCD, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named his team for Friday’s GUINNESS PRO12 game against the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).
There are six changes in total from the side that beat Connacht last time out at the RDS, with three in the pack and a further three in the backs.
Rob Kearney is again selected at full-back with brother Dave continuing on the left wing and club captain Isa Nacewa coming in on the right.
There is a positional switch at centre with Ben Te’o moving to the outside berth and Luke Fitzgerald coming into the starting line-up to wear the number 12 jersey.
Luke McGrath has recovered from the foot infection that kept him out of last week’s starting line-up. He will be joined at half-back by Jonathan Sexton who has shaken off a knee injury that forced him to leave the pitch early last week.
Up front, Jack McGrath and Richardt Strauss are joined in the front row by young tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong. Devin Toner, who is set for his 175th Leinster cap, and Mike McCarthy pair up once more in the second row.
In the back row, last week’s captain Rhys Ruddock is joined by fellow Ireland internationals Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip.
On the bench Noel Reid is back involved in a matchday squad for the first time since recovering from an ankle injury. He is in line to win his 50th cap for Leinster.
LEINSTER (v Ospreys): Rob Kearney; Isa Nacewa (capt), Ben Te’o, Luke Fitzgerald, Dave Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Luke McGrath; Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Peter Dooley, Martin Moore, Tom Denton, Dominic Ryan, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Noel Reid.
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