Tullow man Sean O’Brien dons the Leinster strip for the first time this season after being named in Leo Cullen’s side to face the Scarlets in the Guinness Pro 12 on Friday night in the RDS at 7.35pm.
Sean was rested for last week’s trip to Treviso and hasn’t played a game since the Ireland v France Rugby World Cup game a few weeks ago. Fellow Carlow man Bryan Byrne has been named as replacement hooker.
It’s a completely new starting XV from the one that faced Treviso last Sunday and there is a first start for Leinster for Lansdowne’s Cian Kelleher on the left wing and for James Tracy at hooker, while UCD’s Garry Ringrose also gets a first start in the centre having previously started all his games on the wing.
There is also the return of a number of internationals who were away during the Rugby World Cup.
Rob Kearney starts in Leinster colours for the first time this season have played four games during the World Cup, scoring three tries in the process. He is joined in the back three by fellow returnee Zane Kirchner who was part of the South Africa squad that secured a third placed finish in England. Kelleher, on the left wing, has made three appearances this season from the bench having made his debut in last season’s game away to Edinburgh.
In the centre Noel Reid and Garry Ringrose form a new look partnership. Reid has played in all of Leinster’s games to date this season notching up 430 minutes in the Guinness PRO12. This is the first time that Ringrose will be outside him from the start. Ringrose has scored one try in four starts to date and was awarded the man of the match award after the Glasgow Warriors game.
In the half backs Isaac Boss starts with Ian Madigan again making his seasonal bow from 10.
A completely new pack sees UCD’s James Tracy make a first start for the province at hooker. The 24 year old has made all of his six appearances to date from the bench with one try in three appearances to his name already this season. Cian Healy is to Tracy’s left, with Mike Ross making his first appearance of the season to his right at tight head.
Tom Denton and Devin Toner lock down in the second row, while in the back row it’s a new look trio of Dominic Ryan, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip. Heaslip will captain the side from the base of the scrum as he wins his 203rd cap for Leinster.
LEINSTER:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Zane Kirchner
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Noel Reid
11. Cian Kelleher
10. Ian Madigan
9. Isaac Boss
1. Cian Healy
2. James Tracy
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Tom Denton
6. Dominic Ryan
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Jack McGrath
18. Marty Moore
19. Hayden Triggs
20. Dan Leavy
21. Luke McGrath
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Ben Te’o
