Sexton To Captain Leinster Against Glasgow
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced his team to take on Glasgow Warriors in Saturday’s Champions Cup Pool 3 showdown at Scotstoun Stadium (kick-off 1pm).
Leo Cullen has made six changes to the starting XV, including the return of out-half Jonathan Sexton who has recovered from a dead leg. Sexton also takes over the captaincy from Isa Nacewa, who has not recovered in time from the ankle injury he suffered against Montpellier.
Joey Carbery continues in the number 15 jersey for his sixth start of the season at full-back, with Barry Daly again selected on the left wing after his try-scoring European debut last Saturday at the RDS.
Having featured off the bench against Montpellier, the fit-again Fergus McFadden starts on the right wing. With Nacewa missing out, Noel Reid comes in at inside centre as he did during the round 1 game when Nacewa was forced off after 35 minutes. Beside him, Robbie Henshaw is selected in the number 13 jersey for the second match in a row. Luke McGrath partners the returning Sexton at half-back.
There are two changes in the front row with Cian Healy and Sean Cronin coming in from the start to join Tadhg Furlong. Behind them, Devin Toner is rejoined in the engine room by Scott Fardy who was a late withdrawal for the Montpellier game due to the birth of his son August.
Back rowers Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are selected together for the third match in succession. Although Sean O’Brien remains sidelined with a calf injury, there is a welcome return from an ankle injury for Dan Leavy who features on the bench.
LEINSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Joey Carbery; Fergus McFadden, Robbie Henshaw, Noel Reid, Barry Daly; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, James Ryan, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Dave Kearney.