Ireland big guns return to action for Leinster

Cian Healy, Mike Ross, and Josh van der Flier have been released from Irish camp to participate in Leinster’s important Pro12 fixture with battling Zebre at the RDS tonight (7.30pm).

Van der Flier is one of five changes to the team that lost to the Dragons, with three in the pack and two in the backs, Healy and Ross adding weight and considerable experience to the team.

In the backs, skipper Isa Nacewa returns from a knee injury to captain the side from the left wing, with Adam Byrne getting a start on the right wing.

Ben Te’o and Garry Ringrose continue in midfield, with Isaac Boss partnering Cathal Marsh in the half-backs.

Zebre seek their first Pro12 win in Dublin but, like Leinster, have been hit with a raft of international call-ups.

On home ground, they stretched Munster two weeks ago, but team manager Andrea De Rossi acknowledged the size of this task: “We’ll face a strong team reinforced by the return from injury of two Ireland props at the last World Cup like Healy and Ross. It will, therefore, be a very difficult game for us.”

LEINSTER:

Z Kirchner, A Byrne, G Ringrose, B Te’o, I Nacewa (captain), C Marsh, I Boss, C Healy, J Tracy, M Ross, R Molony, H Triggs, D Ryan, J van der Flier, J Murphy.

Replacements:

S Cronin, P Dooley, M Bent, T Denton, D Leavy, L McGrath, N Reid, F McFadden.

ZEBRE:

U Beyers, D Berryman, T Bonu, M Pratichetti, K Van Zyl, M Azzoloni, L Burgess, B Postiglioni, O Fabiani, G Roan, G Koegelenberg, M Bortolami (captain), E Caffini, J Meyer, J Cook.

Replacements:

E Coria, A De Marchi, P Ceccarelli, F Ruzza, F Cristiano, G Toniolatti, M Muliaina, A Souare.