Fitzgerald on the bench for Leinster

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens at the RDS, kick-off 1.30pm.

Surprisingly, Luke Fitzgerald has been left out of the starting line-up as Schmidt opts for Isa Nacewa at full back with Shane Horgan and Fergus McFadden on the wings - the same back three combination that started the double header against Clermont in December.

Leo Cullen leads the side and partners Nathan Hines in the second row, while Dominic Ryan joins Shane Jennings and Bank of Ireland Player of the Month Sean O’Brien in the back row. Jamie Heaslip, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, has been left out of the matchday squad.

Eoin Reddan is preferred to Isaac Boss at scrum half and partners Jonathan Sexton at half-back.

Meanwhile, Saracens coach Mark McCall has named his side for the trip to Dublin.

England international David Strettle has been named on the wing while former Ospreys centre Gavin Henson will provide cover from the bench.

Steve Borthwick captains the side at lock and is joined in the pack by all-action hooker Schalk Britz and Scottish blindside Kelly Brown.

Leinster: Isa Nacewa, Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Fergus McFadden; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Leo Cullen (C), Nathan Hines; Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien

Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Heinke van der Merwe, Clint Newland, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald

Saracens: Nils Mordt; David Strettle, Michael Tagicakibau, Brad Barritt, James Short; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth, Rhys Gill, Schalk Brits, Carlos Nieto; Steve Borthwick (C), Hugh Vyvyan; Kelly Brown, Andy Saull, Ernst Joubert

Replacements: Jamie George, Jared Saunders, Petrus du Plessis, Hayden Smith, Justin Melck, Neil de Kock, Gavin Henson, Noah Cato