Kearney still unfit as D’Arcy returns for Leinster

Rob Kearney has not recovered from a back injury in time for Leinster’s visit to the Scarlets on Saturday but Godron D’Arcy has been named in the starting XV for the Heienekn Cup Round 2 showdown.

(1.35pm)

D'Arcy returns to the starting line-up to earn his 209th Leinster cap having recovered from a rib injury which ruled him out of the Exeter game. The Wexford man will partner Brian O'Driscoll in Llanelli.

The centre, who is now the most capped Leinster player of all time having overtaken Shane Horgan in his last game three weeks ago - and will also incidentally equal Horgan's European record appearance tally (87 caps) - is one of two changes to the starting line-up that defeated Exeter in the opening round.

Fergus McFadden switches to the wing and is named in a back three alongside Isa Nacewa and Ian Madigan who will again wear the number 15 jersey.

Jonathan Sexton meanwhile, who links up with Eoin Reddan at half-back, is just one point away from passing the 350 point mark in European competition.

The other change to the starting XV sees hooker Sean Cronin, a second half replacement last weekend, make his 30th appearance in a front row where he is joined by fellow Ireland internationals Cian Healy and Mike Ross.

Leo Cullen leads the team and is named again alongside Galway's Damian Browne at second row, with Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin again forming the back-row unit.

Leinster (v. Scarlets): I Madigan; F McFadden, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross; L Cullen ©, D Browne; S McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip.

Replacements: R Strauss, H van der Merwe, J Hagan, D Toner, J Murphy, I Boss, A Conway, F Carr.