Brian O’Driscoll is expected to make his first appearance for Leinster since the Lions tour after being named among the substitutes for tonight’s game against Ebbw Vale at Donnybrook.
The star centre is due for a run out at some stage of the match against the Welsh side in their Celtic League clash which gets underway at 7.00pm.
Fellow Lion Malcolm O’Kelly has also been named on the bench as coach Matt Williams prefers to go with Barnhall’s Trevor Brennan to replace injured second row Bob Casey.
Girvan Dempsey, who claims his 40th Leinster cap tonight, has been named as captain in a team that witnesses debuts for David Quinlan at inside centre, Nathan Spooner at outhalf and Gavin Hickie at hooker.
Emmet Byrne makes his return from injury, having been out of action since the Six Nations victory over France in February.
Former Leinster coach Mike Ruddock returns to Donnybrook in charge of the Welsh visitors.
1. Emmet Byrne, 2. Gavin Hickie, 3. Peter Coyle, 4. Trevor Brennan, 5. Leo Cullen, 6. Aidan McCullen, 7. Keith Gleeson, 8. Victor Costello; 9. Brian O'Mara, 10. Nathan Spooner, 11. Denis Hickie, 12. David Quinlan, 13. Adam Magro, 14. Simon Keogh, 15. Girvan Dempsey (c)
Subs: 16. Reg Corrigan, 17. Shane Byrne, 18. Malcolm O'Kelly, 19. Eric Miller, 20. Ben Willis, 21. Andy Dunne, 22. Brian O'Driscoll