Cronin to make Heineken Cup debt against Glasgow

Sean Cronin will make his first Heineken Cup start when Leinster host Glasgow Warriors in Sunday’s Heineken Cup Round 2 clash in the RDS (kick off: 12.45pm).

After an impressive try-scoring display as a substitute last weekend against Montpellier, the former Connacht player will get his chance from the start on Saturday, lining up alongside fellow Ireland international Mike Ross and Heinke van der Merwe in the front row with Richardt Strauss dropping to the bench.

Eoin Reddan makes his first start of the season and partners Jonathan Sexton - making his 80th Leinster appearance - at half back in a backline which shows two changes from the one which started the 16-16 draw in Montpellier.

With Fergus McFadden ruled out with a dead leg, Eoin O’Malley comes in for his third Heineken Cup appearance and the 23-year-old partners Wexford’s Gordon D’Arcy at centre. Luke Fitzgerald continues in the back three alongside Rob Kearney and Isa Nacewa.

Leo Cullen partners Bank of Ireland Player of the Month Devin Toner at centre with Kevin McLaughlin continuing alongside Sean O’Brien and number eight Jamie Heaslip in the back row.

In all there are five Ireland internationals on the bench including the fit again Cian Healy.

Leinster (v Glasgow Warriors): R Kearney; I Nacewa, E O’Malley, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan; H van der Merwe, S Cronin, Mike Ross; L Cullen, D Toner, K McLaughlin, S O’Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements: R Strauss, C Healy, N White, R Ruddock, S Jennings, I Boss, I Madigan, F Carr.