Tadhg Furlong will make his first start since October when Leinster take on La Rochelle in the Champions Cup on Sunday with the prop in line to win his 150th cap at the Stade Marcel Deflandre (kick-off 3.15pm Irish time).
Furlong has be missing with a hamstring injury picked up against Munster in Croke Park but, in what will also be good news Simon Easterby and the Ireland management ahead of the Six Nations, takes his place alongside Cian Healy in the front row with Andew Porter kept in reserve.
Sam Prendergast partners Jamison Gibson-Park, who will also be making his 150th Leinster appearance, in the half-backs, while Jamie Osborne starts at fullback with Jordie Barrett among those named on the bench.
Munster will be without Peter O’Mahony for their clash with Saracens tomorrow evening (5.30pm kick-off) but Jack Crowley, Conor Murray and Jack O’Donoghue all return to the starting line-up.
O’Mahony has been ruled out with a calf contusion but Murray makes a first appearance since October as he has recovered from the elbow injury that has sidelined him in recent weeks. O’Donoghue is also back in the side and joins Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes in the back row.
And Ulster’s Iain Henderson is another Ireland international returning from an injury lay-off as he will lead his team out against the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (8pm kick-off). The second row returns to lead a team knowing anything less than victory is likely to spell the end of their hopes of a place in the knockout stages.
Nathan Doak will join Aidan Morgan in the halfback partnership while Ethan McIlroy starts at fullback for the first time since October.
Leinster (v La Rochelle): Jamie Osborne; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris. Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Andrew Porter, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jordie Barrett
Munster (v Saracens): Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Brian Gleeson
Ulster (v Leicester): Ethan McIlroy; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Scott Wilson; Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann. Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, John Cooney, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer
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