Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made six changes from the team that accounted for Edinburgh for tomorrow evening’s PRO12 game against the Ospreys in the RDS Arena, with fly-half Johnny Sexton returning for his first start this season.
Zane Kirchner continues at fullback with Isa Nacewa captaining the side once again from the right wing. Dave Kearney is selected on the left.
In the centre Noel Reid and Garry Ringrose are named to start for the fourth game in a row, however there are two changes in the half backs.
Luke McGrath starts at scrum half while Johnny Sexton comes in at number ten having recovered from shoulder surgery.
In the pack there are two changes in the front row with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong coming in, while Sean Cronin continues at hooker.
Mick Kearney comes in to the second row having lined out for Clontarf in the All-Ireland League last weekend to partner Devin Toner.
There is one final change in the pack as Josh van der Flier starts at openside flanker with Jordi Murphy and Jamie Heaslip completing the lineup.
WATCH: Here is the #LeinsterRugby starting XV to face @ospreys at the #RDSArena tomorrow. #LEIvOSP #GUINNESSPRO12 pic.twitter.com/f477SPIi4a
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 22, 2016
Rhys Ruddock who is also returning from injury, has been named on the bench
Over 12,000 tickets have been sold for the game so far but due to the Dublin Bus strike, supporters are reminded to plan their journeys accordingly and to expect more traffic than normal.
Leinster v Ospreys in the RDS Arena on Friday September 23 – kick-off 7.35pm.
Leinster team: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Isa Nacewa CAPTAIN, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Noel Reid, 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Johnny Sexton, 9. Luke McGrath; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Mick Kearney, 6. Jordi Murphy, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16. James Tracy, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Mike Ross, 19. Ross Molony, 20. Rhys Ruddock, 21. Dan Leavy, 22. Jamison Gibson-Park, 23. Joey Carbery.
