Kearney to make season start for Leinster

Ireland international Rob Kearney has been named in Leinster’s starting XV to face Connacht in Friday night's RaboDirect PRO12 interprovincial derby in the Sportsground (8pm).

Thu, 27 Sep, 2012 - 13:36

Ireland international Rob Kearney has been named in Leinster’s starting XV to face Connacht in Friday night's RaboDirect PRO12 interprovincial derby in the Sportsground (8pm).

Kearney will make his first seasonal start - and 121st Leinster appearance - and the Louth man is named in a backline which also includes Fergus McFadden who starts on the right wing.

Gordon D'Arcy will be partnered by Brendan Macken, who scored a brace of tries last weekend, with Isa Nacewa moving to the left wing.

John Cooney links up with Ian Madigan at half back.

In the pack, Shane Jennings leads the team and he is joined in the pack by Ben Marshall and Quinn Roux - with the South African lock set to make his second appearance for the province.

Heinke van der Merwe comes into the front row, while the province can call on an all-Ireland international front row off the bench in ex Connacht hooker Sean Cronin, Cian Healy and Mike Ross.

Leinster v Connacht:

15: Rob Kearney

14: Fergus McFadden

13: Brendan Macken

12: Gordon D’Arcy

11: Isa Nacewa

10: Ian Madigan

9: John Cooney

1: Heinke van der Merwe

2: Thomas Sexton

3: Jamie Hagan

4: Quinn Roux