Leinster welcome back seven Six Nations heroes for Pro 12 clash with Glasgow

There’s no sign of Leinster wrapping the charges in cotton wool ahead of the Champions Cup quarter final.

Head coach Matt O’Connor has named a strong side for tomorrow night’s crucial Pro 12 meeting with leaders Glasgow at the RDS, with four of last week’s Six Nations winners in the starting XV.

In addition, O’Connor welcomes a further three players who featured against Scotland last weekend onto his substitutes bench.

In the pack, Michael Bent and Richardt Strauss start with Marty Moore joining them at tight-head.

Devin Toner is given a rest after the Six Nations, with Mike McCrathy and Tom Denton teaming up in the second row, while Jordi Murphy is given a start in the backrow with Jack Conan and Shane Jennings, who captains the side from openside flanker.

Another of last weekend’s Six Nations heroes, Eoin Reddan starts at scrumhalf with Jimmy Gopperth outside him, while Ian Madigan partners Ben Te’o in midfield.

Dave Kearney and Fergus McFadden play on the wings, while South African Zane Kirchner completes the line-up at fullback.

Leinster have three further Six Nations winners to choose from off the bench, with Sean Cronin, Cian Healy and Luke Fitzgerald all included.

Leinster: Z Kirchner, F McFadden, B Te’o, I Madigan, D Kearney, E Reddan; M Bent, R Strauss, M Moore, T Denton, M McCarthy, J Murphy, S Jennings, J Conan

Subs: S Cronin, C Healy, T Furlong, B Marshall, D Ryan, I Boss, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald

Meanwhile, second place Ulster have welcomed back Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding to action, as they take on the Cardiff Blues tomorrow.

The pair have both been out of action since suffering elbow injuries against Toulon in January, but return to action for Ulster, who could potentially finish tomorrow evening top of the table.

The returning duo are the only new faces in the side from Ulster’s last outing, a disappointing four point defeat to the Dragons on March 8.

Jackson starts at outhalf in place of Ian Humphreys who is on the bench, while Olding replaces Michael Stanley at inside centre.

Ulster: L Ludik, C Gilroy, D Cave (Captain), S Olding, M Allen, P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F Van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Ross, N Williams

Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, B Ross, R Diack, A N Other, P Marshall, I Humphreys, R Scholes.

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