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Rugby

30th Oct 2015

Brian O’Driscoll gives new Leinster captain Isa Nacewa his seal of approval

Bosom buddies

Mikey Stafford

New Leinster captain Isa Nacewa has deigned worthy by BOD.

The province’s coach (and three-time Heineken Cup winning captain) Leo Cullen this morning appointed the New Zealander as captain for the remainder of the season.

Returning Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has been named as a vice captain, alongside last season’s captain Jamie Heaslip.

Nacewa, who returned to Leinster this season after retiring in 2013, will captain the side from full-back on Sunday when the province travel to Italy to face Treviso.

While Heaslip is not involved this Sunday, Cullen has selected 10 of Ireland’s World Cup squad for the trip to Italy: Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Sexton, Dave Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald.

Heaslip captained Leinster last season but may now be freed up from his provincial duties ahead of a promotion to Ireland captain for the 2016 Six Nations.

Brian O'Driscoll, Isa Nacewa and Jamie Heaslip celebrate 25/5/2013

LEINSTER

15. Isa Nacewa (c)
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te’o
12. Luke Fitzgerald
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Hayden Triggs
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jack Conan

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10