Priorities: Secure win, chase bonus point, avoid injuries
Leinster coach Matt O’Connor has not held back with his team selection ahead of Castres’ Saturday visit to Dublin. The Australian welcomes back Jamie Heaslip, Luke Fitzgerald, Eoin Reddan and Marty Moore to his starting line-up for the Champions Cup game.
Fitzgerald will partner Madigan in the centre while the wing spots go to Dave Kearney and Fergus McFadden, who has been given the all-clear after a knock to the head. Reddan’s partner at half-back is Jimmy Gopperth, with Gordon D’Arcy dropped to the bench. Rob Kearney is named fullback.
The surprise call, up front, is Moore coming straight in at tight-head rather than veteran scrummager Mike Ross. Indeed, Ross does not even feature on the bench. Sean Cronin and Michael Bent join the Kildare native in the front row while Mike McCarthy starts beside fellow lock Devin Toner.
Jack Conan gets the blindside nod, with Jordi Murphy named at openside. Captain Jamie Heaslip, and his wolverine blood, starts at No.8.
LEINSTER XV: R. Kearney; McFadden, Fitzgerald, Madigan, D. Kearney; Gopperth, Reddan; Bent, Cronin, Moore; Toner, McCarthy; Conan, Murphy, Heaslip (c).
Replacements: Strauss, Hagan, Furlong, Douglas, Ryan, L. McGrath, D’Arcy, Fanning.
