LEINSTER HAVE NAMED Brian O’Driscoll in their starting team for tomorrow evening’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Treviso at the RDS [KO 5.00pm].
The only other change to the backline for the league leaders sees Darragh Fanning come in on the left wing, with Dave Kearney dropping out of the matchday squad. Jimmy Gopperth continues in the 10 shirt, as Ian Madigan is restricted to the bench.
Jamie Heaslip captains the side from No. 8, with the pack showing three alterations to that which started last weekend’s defeat to the Ospreys. Mike McCarthy is back at lock in the place of Leo Cullen, while Jordi Murphy and Rhys Ruddock are named in the back row.
Talented scrum-half Luke McGrath maintains his spot as a replacement, alongside the likes of Jack McGrath, Dominic Ryan and Brendan Macken.
Meanwhile, Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has decided upon three personnel changes, as well as three positional switches, ahead of this side’s fixture against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium tomorrow [KO 7.35pm].
Darren Cave has been selected in the 13 jersey, partnering Luke Marshall in the midfield of a backline that is otherwise unchanged from the clinical dismantling of Connacht last weekend.
Up front, Tom Court returns at loosehead prop, with academy player Andrew Warwick slipping onto the bench. Sean Doyle is the third new face in the team for this weekend, starting at openside flanker.
Chris Henry moves to the blindside of the back row to cover for the injured Robbie Diack, while Andrew Trimble switches to the left wing and Tommy Bowe moves in the opposite direction. Stephen Ferris is unavailable due to an ankle injury.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Zane Kirchner, Brian O’Driscoll, Noel Reid, Darragh Fanning; Jimmy Gopperth, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Martin Moore; Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip (capt.).
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, Tom Denton, Dominic Ryan, Luke McGrath, Ian Madigan, Brendan Macken.
Ulster: Ricky Andrew; Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Andrew Trimble; Paddy Jackson, Paul Marshall; Tom Court, Rob Herring, Ricky Lutton; Johann Muller (capt.), Iain Henderson; Chris Henry, Sean Doyle, Nick Williams.
Replacements: Niall Annett, Andrew Warwick, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Mike McComish, Michael Heaney, James McKinney, Craig Gilroy.
