Sexton fit to start but skipper Cullen misses out on opener

TODAY’S Heineken Cup opener against Racing Metro at the RDS (1.30pm) has proved to be a bridge too far for injured Leinster skipper Leo Cullen, but Jonathan Sexton is back to make his first start of the season.

Sexton gingerly made his way through 30 minutes of an intense Magners League encounter against Munster last week but has made rapid progress in the last couple of days, and links up with Eoin Reddan at half back.

Not so lucky is Cullen, whose comeback from long-term injury has now been put back at least another week, and Jamie Heaslip has been named captain as Leinster seek to make the ideal start.