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Cronin is one of a number of returnees to the Leinster team. ©INPHO/James Crombie
Returnees

Cronin, Kearney, McFadden and Reddan come back into the fold for Leinster

Joe Schmidt has named his team for Friday night’s RaboDirect Pro12 game against the Llanelli Scarlets at the RDS.

LEINSTER RECALL A number of players who have returned from Six Nations duty to the starting line-up for the visit of the Llanelli Scarlets.

Joe Schmidt has Sean Cronin, Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden and Eoin Reddan available again and all four go straight back into the starting XV.

Kevin McLaughlin is again named captain after last week’s impressive win over Treviso while Dominic Ryan is handed a place on the bench after recovering from a lengthy injury.

Scarlets, who are currently seventh, also welcome back five internationals and will be looking to secure points to advance their push for a RaboDirect Pro12 play-off place.

“This time of the year is very disjointed; both in terms of player availability and scheduling,” Schmidt said ahead of the game.

We are pleased to welcome back a few of our internationals this week though their training time with us has been limited. Having said that, the quality they bring will hopefully help us to keep some of the momentum from last week’s Treviso second half.

“The Scarlets have proven that they can win on the road which makes them dangerous opponents, even though they will also be without some of their international players.”

Leinster: Isa Nacewa, David Kearney, Eoin O’Malley, Fergus McFadden, Fionn Carr, Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan, Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin (c), Shane Jennings, Rhys Ruddock.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Heinke van der Merwe, Nathan White, Leo Auva’a, Dominic Ryan, Isaac Boss, Noel Reid, Brendan Macken.

Scarlets: Dan Newton, Liam Williams, Gareth Maule (c), Scott Williams, Andy Fenby, Stephen Jones, Rhodri Jones, Emyr Phillips, Deacon Manu, Sione Timani, Dominic Day, Josh Turnbull, Johnathan Edwards, Kieran Murphy.

Replacements: Craig Hawkins, Phil John, Peter Edwards, Damian Welch, Ben Morgan, Liam Davies, Adam Warren, Viliame Iongi.

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