O’Driscoll out of Clermont tie

Brian O’Driscoll has failed to make the Leinster squad for Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin (kick-off 3pm).

O’Driscoll suffered a jaw injury in Ireland’s final Autumn test against Argentina and has failed to recover in time for the daunting trip to France.

Young centre Eoin O’Malley comes in for O’Driscoll while, in the absence of Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa and Shane Horgan form the back three.

Jonathan Sexton is named at outhalf and will be joined by Isaac Boss at half back as coach Joe Schmidt opts for the Kiwi’s physicality over normally first choice number nine Eoin Reddan.

Hienke van der Merwe is preferred to Cian Healy at loosehead and the side will be lead by Leo Cullen from the second row.

As expected, Sean O’Brien, Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip form the backrow.

Meanwhile, Clermont coach Vern Cotter has named his side for Sunday’s clash.

The backline is loaded with attacking talent in the form of Fijian flyer Napoleni Nalaga and French internationals Aurelian Rougerie and Julien Malzieu while Brock James and Morgan Parra form a dangerous half-back combination.

Ti’i Paulo is named ahead of Argenitian test veteran Mario Ledesma at hooker with the backrow oozing talent in the shape of Les Bleus test players Julien Bonnaire, Alexandre Lapandry and former All Black Sione Lauaki.

Leinster (v Clermont): Isa Nacewa, Shane Horgan, Eoin O'Malley, Gordon D'Arcy, Fergus McFadden; Jonathan Sexton, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen (C), Nathan Hines; Sean O'Brien, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Cian Healy, Clint Newland, Devin Toner, Dominic Ryan, Eoin Reddan, Shaun Berne, David Kearney

Clermont (v Leinster): Anthony Floch; Napoleni Nalaga, Aurelian Rougerie (C), Gavin Williams, Julien Malzieu; Brock James, Morgan Parra; Thomas Domingo, Ti’i Paulo, Martin Scelzo; Loic Jacquet, Thibault Privat, Julien Bonnaire, Alexandre Lapandry, Sione Lauaki

Replacments: Mario Ledesma, Lionel Faure, Davit Zirakashvili, Julien Pierre, Elvis Vermeulen, Kevin Senio, Tasea Lavea, Benoit Baby