Heaslip and Green to start for Leinster

Shane Horgan will line-out for Leinster for the 50th time this weekend when he takes to the pitch for the vital final Heineken…

Shane Horgan will line-out for Leinster for the 50th time this weekend when he takes to the pitch for the vital final Heineken Cup Pool 5 game against Bath at the Recreation Ground.

Leinster need to win the game at the home of the group leaders to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Horgan will take to the field in an unchanged backline that sees captain Brian O’Driscoll maintain his partnership with Gordon D’Arcy in the centre, while Denis Hickie stays on the wing with young prospect Rob Kearney on the bench.

Prop Will Green and number eight Jamie Heaslip both return after injury, the latter with the endorsement of the Ireland coaching squad ringing in his ears after being called up for the training squad ahead of the Six Nations.

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Another on the verge of his 50th cap is Eric Miller, who makes the bench alongside Emmett Byrne.

LEINSTER

15: Girvan Dempsey
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O'Driscoll CAPTAIN
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Denis Hickie
10: Felipe Contepomi
9: Guy Easterby

1: Reggie Corrigan
2: Brian Blaney
3: Will Green
4: Bryce Williams
5: Malcolm O'Kelly
6: Cameron Jowitt
7: Keith Gleeson
8: Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:

16: David Blaney
17: Emmett Byrne
18: Adam Byrnes
19: Eric Miller
20: Brian O'Riordan
21: Kieran Lewis
22: Rob Kearney

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)