Johnny Sexton to make first Leinster start of the season

Leo Cullen has made a number of changes from the Leinster team that accounted for Edinburgh last Friday evening at Murrayfield with two in the backs and a further in the pack.

Zane Kirchner continues in the number 15 jersey with Isa Nacewa captaining the side once again from the right wing and Dave Kearney selected on the left for Friday’s clash against Ospreys at the RDS (kick off: 7.35pm).

In the centre Noel Reid and Garry Ringrose are named to start for the fourth game in a row, however thare are two changes in the half back.

Luke McGrath starts at scrum half while Johnny Sexton makes his first appearance of the campaign from number ten having recovered from shoulder surgery.

In the pack there are two changes in the front row with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong coming in, with Sean Cronin continuing at hooker.

Mick Kearney comes in to the second row having lined out for Clontarf in the All-Ireland League last weekend to partner Devin Toner.

There is one final change in the back row as Josh van der Flier starts at open side flanker with Jordi Muprhy and Jamie Heaslip completing the line up.

Rhys Ruddock makes his first match day squad of the season having returned from injury and he is named on the bench.

LEINSTER: Zane Kirchner, Isa Nacewa, Garry Ringrose, Noel Reid, Dave Kearney, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Mick Kearney, Jordi Murphy, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Ross Molony, Rhys Ruddock, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Joey Carbery.