Schmidt selects strong side for Ulster test

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt has named a strong starting XV to face Ulster in Friday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby against Ulster in Ravenhill (7.05pm) has been named.

In all there are 13 Ireland qualified players in the starting XV including scrum-half Eoin Reddan who links up with Jonathan Sexton at half back for the trip to Belfast.

Luke Fitzgerald is named in a back three alongside the Kearney brothers.

Eoin O'Malley was a late withdrawal this morning after a recurrence of his calf strain forced him from the training field, meaning Fergus McFadden will partner Brian O’Driscoll in the midfield.

Up front, Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross start in the front row, with All Black Brad Thorn locking down alongside skipper Leo Cullen.

Kevin McLaughlin joins fellow ex Gonzaga College SJ forward Dominic Ryan in the back row alongside the returning Sean O’Brien who starts at number eight.

If Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss, one of four Ireland internationals on the bench, is used as a replacement it will be his 50th provincial appearance.

Leinster (v Ulster): R Kearney; D Kearney, B O’Driscoll, F McFadden, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddam; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen (c), B Thorn; K McLaughlin, D Ryan, S O’Brien.

Replacements: S Cronin, H van der Merwe, N White, D Toner, S Jennings, I Boss, I Madigan, F Carr.