Jamie Heaslip notches up his 50th Heineken Cup appearance

The Leinster team to face Montpellier Hérault in Saturday’s Heineken Cup Round 6 sell out clash in the RDS (KO: 1.30pm) has been named.

Leo Cullen, who is set to make his 170th appearance for the province, captains a side which shows a number of changes to the side from last weekend’s victory in Glasgow.

Cullen packs down alongside Damian Browne at lock while Jamie Heaslip makes his 50th Heineken Cup appearance and is named in an all-Ireland back row alongside Sean O’Brien and Rhys Ruddock.

Balbriggan’s Jamie Hagan makes his Heineken Cup debut and starts in the front row alongside fellow 2007 Under-20 Grand Slam winning prop Cian Healy as well as the returning Richardt Strauss.

In the backline, Isaac Boss partners Bank of Ireland Player of the Month Jonathan Sexton at half back, with Eoin O’Malley coming in to partner Gordon D’Arcy (who incidentally will make his 199thLeinster career appearance on Saturday) in the midfield and Fergus McFadden shifting to the wing.

Sean Cronin is one of five Ireland internationals named on the bench.

Aside from the usual pre-match ‘Family Day’ activity around the ground, Leinster Rugby will welcome the Cavan RFC male voice choir to the RDS who will warm up the crowd pre-match. Ashbourne RFC and Coolmine RFC will also perform in the half time Mini Rugby exhibition. Gates open at 12 midday and there will be no tickets on sale on the day. With exams and a number of other events around the RDS on the day, supporters are advised to arrive early and use public transport.

Leinster Starting XV:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Eoin O’Malley
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Sean O’Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke Van Der Merwe
18: Mike Ross
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fionn Carr