Schmidt names powerful Leinster side for Munster clash

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side to face Munster in tomorrow night’s Magners League match at Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick, kick-off 7.30pm.

Boyne winger Shane Horgan will make history when he lines out for his home province for the 200th time, and in doing so, he becomes the first Leinster player to reach the milestone.

Horgan continues in the back three alongside Luke Fitzgerald and Isa Nacewa who both started last weekend’s 26-26 victory over the Dragons.

Gordon D’Arcy partners Brian O’Driscoll at centre with Isaac Boss, a try scorer in Newport last Saturday, and Jonathan Sexton continuing their half-back partnership.

In all there are six Ireland internationals in the starting pack with international props Cian Healy and Mike Ross returning to the front row and Kevin McLaughlin forming a impressive looking backrow unit alongside Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip.

Leo Cullen leads the team and partners Scotland’s Nathan Hines at secondrow.

Internationals Heinke van der Merwe, Stan Wright, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan and Fergus McFadden are named amongst a strong replacements bench.

Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Jonathan Sexton, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Leo Cullen (C), Nathan Hines; Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Heinke van der Merwe, Stan Wright, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden