Eoin Reddan notches up his 60th cap for the club

In all there are 13 Ireland qualified players in the starting Leinster XV including scrum-half Eoin Reddan – making his 60th Leinster appearance – who links up with Jonathan Sexton at half back for the trip to Belfast, (Friday, KO: 7:05pm).

Luke Fitzgerald is named in a back three alongside the Kearney brothers. Unfortunately, Eoin O’Malley was a late withdrawal this morning after a recurrence of his calf strain forced him from the training field, thus Fergus McFadden – who makes his 70th Leinster appearance – will partner Brian O’Driscoll in the midfield.

Up front, Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross start in the front row, with All Black Brad Thorn locking down alongside skipper Leo Cullen. Kevin McLaughlin (who will also make his 70th Leinster appearance) joins fellow ex Gonzaga College SJ forward Dominic Ryan in the back row alongside the returning Sean O’Brien who starts at number eight.

If Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss, one of four Ireland internationals on the bench, is used as a replacement it will be his 50th provincial appearance.

Starting XV:
15: Rob Kearney
14: David Kearney
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan
1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen (C)
5: Brad Thorn
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Sean O’Brien

Replacements:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fionn Carr