Johnny Sexton back but cloud remains over Jamie Heaslip

Johnny Sexton will skipper Leinster tonight as four of the province’s British & Irish Lions return to action for the first time this season. 

Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong and Seán O’Brien — in an unfamiliar No8 shirt — join Sexton in the starting XV, but there is concern over the continued absence of the man who wore the No 8 so often: Jamie Heaslip.

The Leinster and two-time Lions backrow was left out of Leinster’s Champions Cup squad on Wednesday and yesterday Leinster boss Leo Cullen admitted he had no idea when he will return.