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