Big guns return for Leinster

Leo Cullen, Cian Healy, Gordon D'Arcy and Isa Nacewa all return to the Leinster XV for Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 showdown against Edinburgh in the RDS (6.15pm).

Cullen reclaims captaincy after Jamie Heaslip skippered the province in last weekend's triumph over Benetton Treviso in Italy. Up front Sean Cronin comes into the front row in place of Richardt Strauss and he will line up alongside international colleagues Healy - making his 98th Leinster appearance - and Mike Ross.

Behind the front row Cullen partners Tom Denton who will make his home debut for the province, with Heaslip, Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin continuing in the back row.

Wexford's Gordon D'Arcy makes his first start of the season and he will line up at centre alongside Brian O'Driscoll who scored his 55th career try for the province against Treviso. O'Driscoll now lies one ahead of D'Arcy in third place and four behind Denis Hickie's tally of 59 tries. Shane Horgan leads the all-time list on 71 tries.

Isa Nacewa returns to the starting line-up and he is named in the back three alongside Fionn Carr and Andrew Conway.

Jonathan Sexton's 14 point haul in Italy pushed him past the 800 point mark for Leinster and the St. Mary's College out-half will make his 94th appearance on Saturday, partnering Eoin Reddan at half back.

Leinster (v. Edinburgh): I Nacewa; A Conway, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, F Carr; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross; L Cullen ©, T Denton; K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip.

Replacements: T Sexton, H van der Merwe, J Hagan, D Toner, J Murphy, J Cooney, I Madigan, B Macken.