Sean O Brien has been named in the Leinster starting fifteen for the blues first outing in Europe this season.
The Tullow man starts in the back-row at openside flanker for the visit of the Wasps to the RDS this Sunday at 1 o clock in the European Champions Cup.
O Brien lines up alongside fellow Irish Internationals Jamie Heaslip at number 8 and Jordi Murphy at 6 and will face down Wasps George Smith who has played the full 80 minutes for the London side for their first three games in the Aviva Premiership. O Briens first match since his World Cup one game ban was against in Leinsters win over the Scarlets last week which Sean played the full 80 minutes.
Team coach Leo Cullen has made nine changes to his starting fifteen from the Scarlets game with Isa Nacewa back to captain the side from full back. The Auckland native last played in European competition in the final of the Challenge Cup against Stade Francais at the end of the 2012/2013 season. Zane Kirchner continues on the right-wing with Dave Kearney coming in on the left to complete the back three.
Noel Reid and Fergus McFadden form a new look centre partnership. Reid has played in all of Leinster’s games so far this season and also started the corresponding fixture last season from 12, while McFadden also has experience of playing 13 against Wasps having played there in the 2013 Challenge Cup quarter-final.
In the half backs Eoin Reddan gets the nod to start at scrumhalf against his former club with whom he won a Heineken Cup in 2007 and an English Premiership title in 2008. Johnny Sexton makes his first RDS start since returning from Racing 92 at outhalf.
Only Mike Ross is retained in the front row at tight head having scored only his second try for Leinster in last week’s win over the Scarlets. His only previous try came against Wasps in that 2013 quarter-final in Adams Park.Jack McGrath and Richardt Strauss complete the front row at loose head and hooker. McGrath wins his 80th Leinster cap on Sunday.
Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy form an experienced second row with over 450 professional club appearances between them. McCarthy started out his professional career with Wasps (then London Wasps) and made six appearances in total before moving to Connacht.
On the bench Hayden Triggs is in line to make his European debut as is former World Rugby Under 20 Player of the Year nominee, Garry Ringrose.
Tickets are still on sale from leinsterrugby.ie or on match day from the ticket office, which opens at 11.30 on Sunday in the RDS Arena.
Head coach Leo Cullen and captain Isa Nacewa will be available at a media event in Leinster Rugby HQ later on today starting at 2pm.
LEINSTER:
15. Isa Nacewa CAPTAIN
14. Zane Kirchner
13. Fergus McFadden
12. Noel Reid
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Jordi Murphy
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Hayden Triggs
20. Jack Conan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ian Madigan
23. Garry Ringrose
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Touch Judge: Cyril Lafon (France)
Touch Judge: Thomas Dejean (France)
Fourth Official: Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (Wales)
