O’Shea to debut for Leinster

Dubliner Colm O’Shea will make his debut for Leinster in Thursday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso in the RDS. (KO: 7.05pm)

The 21-year-old former Belvedere College SJ centre – who has featured in four British & Irish Cup games so far this season - will form a midfield partnership with Brendan Macken.

Isaac Boss links up with Ian Madigan at half back, with Fionn Carr forming a back three alongside Darren Hudson and Isa Nacewa.

Kevin McLaughlin leads the team after recovering from injury and is named in a back-row alongside fellow Ireland international Shane Jennings and Leo Auva'a.

Heinke van der Merwe makes his 49th appearance for the province. The South African is joined by Richardt Strauss and Nathan White in the front row.

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa

14: Darren Hudson

13: Brendan Macken

12: Colm O'Shea

11: Fionn Carr

10: Ian Madigan

9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe

2: Richardt Strauss

3: Nathan White

4: Damian Browne

5: Devin Toner

6: Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN

7: Shane Jennings

8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Sexton

17: Jack McGrath

18: Jamie Hagan

19: Mark Flanagan

20: Jordi Murphy

21: John Cooney

22: Noel Reid

23: Andrew Boyle

REFEREE: Leighton Hodges (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mark Patton, Richard Kerr (both IRFU), 4thOFFICIAL: Kevin Beggs (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5thOFFICIAL: Helen O’Reilly (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU