Kearney makes first start of the season for Leinster

Matt O’Connor has named his side to face Benetton Treviso in the PRO12 on Sunday and Dave Kearney is back in the starting 15 for the first time since May.

Kearney has recovered from a knee injury and comes in on the left-wing, with Darragh Fanning on the right.

This means Luke Fitzgerald moves to outside centre with Noel Reid at inside centre. Zane Kirchner continues at full-back and Luke McGrath and Jimmy Gopperth remain at half-back.

Richardt Strauss is back with the province after lining out for Ireland against Georgia last weekend and starts at hooker. Michael Brent and Tadhg Furlong start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively.

Tom Denton and Kane douglas are in the second row and also returning from injury is Jordi Murphy, who joins the pack at openside flanker.

Captain Kevin McLaughlin is beside him in the back row and Jack Conan starts at number 8.

Leinster team in full: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Darragh Fanning, 13. Luke Fitzgerald, 12. Noel Reid, 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Luke McGrath; 1. Michael Bent, 2. Richardt Strauss, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tom Denton, 5. Kane Douglas, 6. Kevin McLaughlin -capt., 7. Jordi Murphy 8. Jack Conan.

Replacements: 16. Bryan Byrne,17. Peter Dooley, 18. Jamie Hagan, 19. Ben Marshall, 20. Dominic Ryan, 21. Isaac Boss, 22. Cathal Marsh, 23. Brendan Macken.