Schmidt leaves firepower on bench

Ireland internationals Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan and Devin Toner have all been named on a strong bench for Leinster’s Heineken Cup Pool 3 Round 3 encounter in The Recreation Ground (12.45pm) on Sunday.

Ireland internationals Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan and Devin Toner have all been named on a strong bench for Leinster’s Heineken Cup Pool 3 Round 3 encounter with Bath in The Recreation Ground (12.45pm) on Sunday.

There are several changes to the side that defeated Glasgow Warriors in the previous round with Fergus McFadden named at outside centre alongside Gordon D’Arcy.

Up front, Damian Browne makes his second start in the Heineken Cup this term and the Galway man will partner skipper Leo Cullen at second row, with Richardt Strauss named in the front row alongside Heinke van der Merwe and Mike Ross.

Kevin McLaughlin joins fellow Ireland internationals Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien in the back row.

Isaac Boss, Gordon D’Arcy and Rob Kearney – who were all try-scorers in the 38-13 victory over Glasgow in the RDS last month – are also selected in the starting side.

Leinster (v Bath): R Kearney, I Nacewa, F McFadden, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald, J Sexton, I Boss, H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen, D Browne, K McLaughlin, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy, N White, D Toner, S Jennings, E Reddan, I Madigan, E O’Malley.