Rugby:Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has made two changes to the side that beat Munster 30-21 for tomorrow's Heineken Cup clash with the Exeter Chiefs at the RDS.
Cian Healy, who will make his 100th appearance for Leinster tomorrow, has fully recovered from a bicep injury and starts in place of Heinke van der Merwe. Club captain Leo Cullen is fit to resume and is selected ahead of Devin Toner: both van der Merwe and Toner are named among the replacements.
Kevin McLaughlin has recovered from the hyper-extended elbow problem that forced him off after 12 minutes of the Munster match. Andrew Conway was removed on a stretcher the last day but he too has recovered from the ‘stinger’ he sustained. Brian O’Driscoll (rolled ankle) and Isa Nacewa (dead leg) have also been passed fit.
Rob Kearney trained well yesterday but pulled up sore afterwards, as a result Ian Madigan continues at fullback for his second Heineken Cup start. Both Kearney and Gordon D’Arcy are expected to be available for selection for the away trip to Llanelli next weekend.
Meanwhile, scrum-half Isaac Boss has recovered from the injury he sustained on the opening weekend of the league campaign. Schmidt has opted to select six forwards on the bench with Boss and Carr versatile enough to address any backline injury.
Exeter Chiefs will be led by former Shannon and Bruff man, Tom Hayes, younger brother of former Ireland international John, who returns to the team after being rested last week. Ex-Ireland Under 21 Gareth Steenson keeps his place at outhalf in preference to Ignacio Mieres while, Ian Whitten, a summer recruit from Ulster starts on the right wing.
Leinster:I Madigan; A Conway, B O'Driscoll, F McFadden, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen, D Browne; K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip.
Replacements:S Cronin, H van der Merwe, J Hagan, D Toner, L Auva'a, J Murphy, I Boss, F Carr.
Exeter Chiefs:L Arscott;
I Whitten, P Dollman, J Shoemark, M Jess;
G Steenson, H Thomas; B Sturgess, S Alcott, C Rimmer;
T Hayes(capt), J Hanks; T Johnson, J Scaysbrook, R Baxter.
Replacements:C Whitehead, C Budgen, B Moon, A Muldowney, D Mumm, W Chuedley, I Mieres, S Naqelevuki.
Leinster A (v Leeds Carnegie, Saturday, Donnybrook 7.0):D Hudson; A Boyle, B Macken, C O'Shea, S Coghlan Murray; N Reid, J Cooney; J O'Connell, T Sexton, J McGrath (capt); T Denton, B Marshall; J Coghlan, J van der Flier, J Conan. Replacements:J Tracy, T Furlong, T Beirne, D Leavy, D Shanahan, C Marsh, T Daly
