Fit again O’Driscoll to start against Ulster

Leinster centre Brian O’Driscoll has recovered from the back problem which kept him out of the Amlin Challenge Cup final, and takes his place amongst a strong starting XV to take on Ulster in the RaboDirect PRO12 at the RDS tomorrow (4.45pm).

However, the province will have to cope without the ball-carrying capabilities of Sean O’Brien, who has failed to recover from his knee injury, with Kevin McLaughlin returning to the back row.

Isa Nacewa will make his 126th and final Leinster appearance on Saturday and he starts in an outside back line which features Fergus McFadden and Rob Kearney.

McFadden's positional switch caters for the return of O'Driscoll who starts alongside Ian Madigan at centre.

Isaac Boss will partner Jonathan Sexton at half-back and the Ireland out-half will earn his 110th provincial cap.

Up front, Cian Healy and Richardt Strauss return to the starting line-up after coming on as replacements in the Challenge Cup final victory last weekend.

The team will be led by the returning Leo Cullen who partners Devin Toner at second row.

McLaughlin will form an experienced back-row unit alongside Shane Jennings - who is set to make his 175th appearance - and number eight Jamie Heaslip.

Leinster (v. Ulster): R Kearney; F McFadden, B O’Driscoll, I Madigan, I Nacewa; J Sexton, I Boss; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, J Hagan, Q Roux, R Ruddock, J Cooney, A Goodman, A Conway