Kirchner gets first big Leinster test

Leinster will finally get to road test their expensive new flyer tonight when Zane Kirchner makes his first start for the province before checking out again for duty with South Africa.

The Springbok made his bow for the club last week with nine minutes at the back end of the narrow win against Connacht and is joined this time in the back three by Lote Tuqiri whose involvement has been similarly limited but, in his case, by injury.

Leinster have lost the usual plethora of stars to Ireland camp but are still able to name four men with Test experience with Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Jennings among them.