Robbie Henshaw and Jimmy O'Brien return for Leinster's clash with Cardiff

Robbie Henshaw during a Leinster Rugby squad training session at Thornfields in UCD, Belfield, Dublin. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named his side to take on Cardiff Rugby in Round 12 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday.

There are six changes to the starting XV from last month's bonus-point win over Edinburgh, with Max Deegan captaining the side on his 150th appearance for the province as the URC celebrates Origin Round.

Scott Penny, earning his 99th Leinster cap, and James Culhane join Deegan in the back row, with Academy second row Alan Spicer partnering Brian Deeny in the engine room.

Jerry Cahir and Andrew Sparrow pack down either side of John McKee in an unchanged front row.

Jimmy O'Brien starts at full-back alongside Joshua Kenny and Ruben Moloney on the wings, while Robbie Henshaw partners Rieko Ioane in the centre.

Harry Byrne starts at out-half, with Fintan Gunne his partner in the half-backs.

Rabah Slimani returns to the matchday 23 for the first time since before Christmas, with Gus McCarthy and Alex Usanov also offering front row cover as RG Snyman and Josh Ericson complete the forward replacements. Luke McGrath, Charlie Tector and Andrew Osborne round out the matchday squad.

Leinster: J. O'Brien; J. Kenny, R. Ioane, R. Henshaw, R. Moloney; H. Byrne, F. Gunne; J. Cahir, J. McKee, A. Sparrow; A. Spicer, B. Deeny; M. Deegan, S. Penny, J. Culhane.

Replacements: G. McCarthy, A. Usanov, R. Slimani, R. Snyman, J. Ericson, L. McGrath, C. Tector, A. Osborne.