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Madigan played at the Stade de France last weekend. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Madigan and McFadden return to Leinster XV to face Zebre

Matt O’Connor has included five of Ireland’s Six Nations winners for the encounter with the Italians at the RDS.

LEINSTER COACH MATT O’Connor has named Six Nations winners Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden in his starting team to face Zebre in the RaboDirect Pro12 tomorrow night at the RDS [KO 7.15pm].

Eoin Reddan, Martin Moore and Jordi Murphy – who were on the bench for Ireland’s win over France last weekend – have also been named in the match day squad for Leinster.

In total, O’Connor’s starting team includes 11 players capped at senior international level, with fullback Zane Kirchner flanked by wings Luke Fitzgerald and Darragh Fanning. McFadden will wear 13, partnering Noel Reid in midfield.

Isaac Boss and Madigan made up the halfback pairing, behind a back row of Kevin McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan and Murphy. Captain Leo Cullen locks down with Mike McCarthy in the second row, with the promising Tadhg Furlong named in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss and Michael Bent.

A bench including the likes of Moore, Shane Jennings, Reddan and Brendan Macken gives league leaders Leinster the possibility of changing the game in the second half against bottom side Zebre.

Leinster (v Zebre): Zane Kirchner; Darragh Fanning, Fergus McFadden, Noel Reid, Luke Fitzgerald; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Michael Bent, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong; Leo Cullen (capt.), Mike McCarthy; Kevin McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan, Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Jack O’Connell, Martin Moore, Tom Denton, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Jimmy Gopperth, Brendan Macken.

Zebre (v Leinster): David Odiete; Giulio Toniolatti, Giovanbattista Venditti, Kameli Ratuvou, Dion Berryman; Tommaso Iannone, Brendon Leonard; Salvatore Perugini, Tommaso D’Apice, Dave Ryan; George Biagi, Marco Bortolami (capt.); Filippo Ferrarini, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Samuela Vunisa.

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Andrea De Marchi, Dario Chistolini, Michael Van Vuren, Guglielmo Palazzani, Alberto Chillon, Emiliano Caffini, Filippo Cristiano.

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    Mute Colm Coughlan
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    Mar 20th 2014, 1:13 PM

    Great to see Fitzgerald back,hopefully he can stay fit

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Mar 20th 2014, 1:12 PM

    Love the Leinster TH selection. Both Furlong and Moore are serious prospects that could be Irish internationals for a long time to come.

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    Mute kendo90
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    Mar 20th 2014, 6:42 PM

    How is Denton favoured over Quinn Roux??!!

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    Mute Elizabeth Gibson
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    Mar 20th 2014, 6:53 PM

    How is Michael Bent favoured over anyone??

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    Mute Shane O Leary
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    Mar 20th 2014, 9:09 PM

    Have to laugh at the constant abuse Bent gets, merely for appearing in a few Ireland squads.

    He’s been a revelation at LH this year if you bothered watching a few games.

    His form is part of the reason why Jack O’Connell is leaving. Bent is likely on peanuts and can play LH and TH to an adequate level, great Rabo squad player.

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