Celtic League team-news: Denis Hickie and Robert Kearney are named in a strong Leinster squad for tomorrow's Celtic League clash with the Borders.
Coach Michael Cheika must plan without a number of his internationals but both Hickie and Kearney as well as Guy Easterby and Reggie Corrigan were freed from the Irish training squad and will start at Donnybrook.
There are three changes in the pack from the side that defeated Bath in the Heineken Cup last weekend with Eric Miller, Emmett Byrne and Adam Byrnes coming into the starting line-up.
Felipe Contepomi - who is four points short of 400 for Leinster - captains the side.
Ulster coach Mark McCall is also without Irish internationals - five in total - and accordingly makes three changes for the game with Llanelli at Ravenhill
Bryn Cunningham was rested last week but returns at full-back. Jonny Bell is named at outside centre, partnering Paul Steinemetz in place of Andrew Trimble who is with Ireland.
There is just one change in the pack. Neil McMillan returns to the starting line-up and Stephen Ferris switches to the blindside.
Neil Best, who trained with Ireland Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week is named on the bench.
Munster coach Declan Kidney should release a squad ahead of Saturday's match with the Dragons at Musgrave Park.
Connacht, meanwhile, will play their European Challenge Cup quarter-final against the Newcastle Falcons on March 31st. The game holds a 7.30pm kick-off and will be screened live by Sky Sports.
LEINSTER: 15 - Denis Hickie, 14 - Gary Brown, 13 - Kieran Lewis, 12 - John Hepworth, 11 - Rob Kearney, 10 - Felipe Contepomi (C), 9 - Guy Easterby. 1 - Reggie Corrigan, 2 - Brian Blaney, 3 - Emmett Byrne, 4 - Adam Byrnes, 5 - Bryce Williams, 6 - Eric Miller, 7 - Keith Gleeson, 8 - Jamie Heaslip. Replacements (from): 16 - Ronan McCormack, 17 - David Blaney, 18 - Devin Toner, 19 - Niall Ronan, 20 - Brian O'Riordan / Brian O'Meara, 21 - Jonathan Sexton, 22 - Eoghan Hickey / Brendan Burke.
ULSTER: - 15 - Bryn Cunningham; 14 - James Topping; 13 - Jonny Bell; 12 - Paul Steinmetz; 11 - Andrew Maxwell; 10 - Adam Larkin; 9 - Isaac Boss; 1 - Justin Fitzpatrick; 2 - Nigel Brady; 3 - Bryan Young; 4 - Justin Harrison (Captain); 5 - Matt McCullough; 6 - Stephen Ferris; 7 - Neil McMillan; 8 - Roger Wilson. Replacements - 16 - Paul Shields; 17 - Rod Moore; 18 - Rowan Frost; 19 - Neil Best; 20 - Kieran Campbell; 21 - Paddy Wallace; 22 - Tyrone Howe
