Rugby:Luke Fitzgerald returns to the Leinster team for the first time in a little over two months having recovered from a troublesome neck problem. He starts at fullback against Aironi in the RaboDirect Pro12 match at the Stadio Zafanella tomorrow night. It's a timely return for a talented and versatile player.
Andrew Conway, also recently recovered from injury, started on the bench last week in the drawa against Glasgow, but is named on the right wing for the Italian trip. Eoin O’Malley partners Brendan Macken in midfield while Kevin McLaughlin and Rhys Ruddock return to the backrow. Shane Jennings will lead the team with Isa Nacewa on the bench.
Their Italian opponents are forced to make five changes to the starting line-up from last week. In the backline Giulio Toniolatti will start at fullback in place of Alberto Benettin, while winger Riccardo Pavan will make his third start of the season for Aironi.
Nick Williams is out due to a muscle injury, so coach, Rowland Phillips is forced to make two changes in the back row. Josh Sole returns at number eight, with Simone Favaro (back from international duty) and Nicola Cattina as flankers.
Last week’s man of the match Joshua Furno is ruled out; George Biagi will take his place in the second row aklongside Carlo Del Fava. Luciano Orquera is back after an injury and will start from the bench.
Aironi:G Toniolatti; R Pavan, R Quartaroli, G Pizarro, S Sinoti; N Olivier, T Tebaldi; M Aguero, R Satntmaria (capt), L Romano; G Biagi, C del Fava; N Cattina, S Favaro, J Sole. Replacements: F Ongaro, A De Marchi, S Perugini, L Redolfini, F Ferrarini, T Keats, L Orquera, G Pavan.
Leinster:L Fitzgerald; A Conway, E O'Malley, B Macken, F Carr; I Madigan, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, N White; D Browne, D Toner; K McLaughlin, S Jennings, R Ruddock. Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, J Hagan, L Auva'a, D Ryan, J Cooney, N Reid, I Nacewa.
