Leinster have named a strong side for their Magners League clash with defending champions, the Ospreys, in a match that will mark the province’s 50th competitive encounter in the RDS.
Luke Fitzgerald starts at fullback in an all-Ireland qualified backline, as wings Shane Horgan and Fergus McFadden make up the rest of the back three, with Brian O’Driscoll partnering Gordon D’Arcy at centre and Jonathan Sexton and Eoin Reddan as the two halfbacks.
Leo Cullen skippers the side and lines up at second row with Devin Toner, with Dominic Ryan coming into the back row alongside Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip.
In the front row, Heinke van der Merwe and Clint Newland have made way for Ireland internationals Cian Healy and Mike Ross.
Isaac Boss, Nathan Hines and Rhys Ruddock have been named on a replacements bench which contains a mix of youth and experience and a decision on the final outside back replacement will be made closer to kick-off.
Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes said: "They [the Ospreys] have shown they have grown and developed and can withstand a bit of pressure.
"They were also able to get back into the game through the scrum, which seems to have grown another arm and a leg. They seem to have gained confidence out of it.
"We have had a nice little bit of growth with our scrum this season but every game is a little bit different. They could come with different tactics.
"The referee could interpret things a little bit differently. We need to be adaptable but we need to be focused or we could get embarrassed at home."
Emphasising that point, flanker Shane Jennings added: "If we take our eye off the Ospreys, they will do a job on us. The last time they came over here, they won the league. It's a game we're looking forward to.
"The Ospreys also beat us over there a few weeks ago. So we're up for a big, big game. They have a very good team, a very good squad.
"Whatever lads come over we know we are in for a tough game. Every game for us is big because we are fighting to get into those top-four positions."
Leinster: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O’Driscoll, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Leo Cullen (Captain), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Clint Newland, 19 Nathan Hines, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Eoin O’Malley/Isa Nacewa.
Date: Friday, January 7
Venue: Royal Dublin Society
Kick-off: 19.35 (19.35 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Simon McDowell (Ireland), Mark Hermin (Ireland)
TMO: Sean Flannery (Ireland)
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