Leinster stick with quarter-final team for Toulon contest

Coach Matt O’Connor has kept faith with the same XV that overcame Bath in the quarter-final earlier this month.

Leinster have named their starting side for Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon.

Coach Matt O’Connor has kept faith with the same XV that

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Rob Kearney starts at full-back, with Luke Fitzgerald selected on the left wing. Fergus McFadden, who earns his 125th cap for Leinster this weekend, is on the right wing.

Ian Madigan starts at inside centre.

Ben Te’o starts at outside centre and Ian Madigan, whose kicking was crucial to Leinster’s victory against Bath, is partnered with him at 12.

In the half-backs, Jimmy Gopperth starts at 10, with Isaac Bass alongside him at scrum-half.

Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross make up the front row, while Mike McCarthy locks down beside Devin Toner in the second row.

Jamie Heaslip captains from the base of the scrum.

Jamie Heaslip again captains the side at number eight, with Jordi Murphy at blindside flanker and Sean O’Brien at openside.

Toulon v Leinster, Champions Cup semi-final Sunday April 19 - kick-of 3.15pm Irish time.

Leinster team: R Kearney; F McFadden, B Te’o, I Madigan, L Fitzgerald; J Gopperth, I Boss; C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross, D Toner, M McCarthy, J Murphy, S O’Brien, J Heaslip - capt.

Replacements: R Strauss, J McGrath, M Moore, B Marshall, D Ryan, E Reddan, G D’Arcy, Z Kirchner.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).

Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales) and Greg Garner (England).