Fitzgerald to start against Aironi

Luke Fitzgerald returns to the Leinster team for their RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Aironi in the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella tomorrow (6pm).

The former Blackrock College star has recovered from injury and will perform for the province for the first time in a little over two months.

Fitzgerald starts at full-back in a back three which also includes Fionn Carr and Andrew Conway, with the Blackrock College winger set for his fifth appearance of the season.

Eoin O’Malley and Brendan Macken form the centre partnership after finishing the 10-10 draw in Glasgow last weekend, with Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss again pairing up with Ian Madigan at half back.

Heinke van der Merwe, who scored his second try in Leinster colours on his 51st appearance in Firhill, continues in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss and Nathan White.

Shane Jennings, meanwhile, leads the team and is named in an all-Ireland back-row alongside Kevin McLaughlin and Rhys Ruddock, with Damian Browne partnering Moynalvey’s Devin Toner at second row, with the Meath man set to make his 89th provincial appearance.

Leinster (v Aironi): L Fitzgerald; A Conway, E O’Malley, B Macken, F Carr; I Madigan, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, N White, D Browne, D Toner, K McLaughlin, S Jennings (c), R Ruddock.

Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, J Hagan, L Auva’a, D Ryan, J Cooney, N Reid, I Nacewa.