Rugby:Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made two changes from the team that beat Edinburgh for tomorrow's Heineken Cup final against Leinster at Twickenham (5.0).
World Cup winner and former All Black John Afoa returns after missing the semi-final because of suspension. He replaces Declan Fitzpatrick at tighthead prop with the latter dropping to the bench. Flanker Chris Henry also missed the Edinburgh match but he has successfully recovered from his knee injury and takes over from Willie Faloon, who is named among the replacements.
Paddy Jackson continues at outhalf. The team will be led by Johann Muller and they will be seeking a second European crown to go with their victorious campaign in 1999, when they memorably beat Colomiers in the final at Lansdowne Road.
Leinster’s walking wounded Rob Kearney (back), Brian O’Driscoll (knee), Gordon D’Arcy (eyebrow) and Cian Healy (ankle) have all successfully rehabilitated from injury, passing fitness tests and will take their respective places at Twickenham.
Leo Cullen leads the province and his secondrow partner Brad Thorn will be hoping to become the first player in rugby history to hold World Cup, Super 15 and Heineken Cup winners’ medals. Coach Joe Schmidt has elected to start Kevin McLaughlin in the backrow with Shane Jennings on the bench, reversing the selection for the semi-final win over Cardiff.
Sean O’Brien moves back to openside flanker with McLaughlin wearing the number six jersey. The unfortunate Luke Fitzgerald (neck) is replaced by Fergus McFadden, who will start on the right wing with Isa Nacewa moving to the left to accommodate the Irish player’s introduction. David Kearney is named on the bench.
D’Arcy will become the joint fifth most capped player played in the European tournament, making his 86th appearance.
Leinster:R Kearney; F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen (capt), B Thorn; K McLaughlin, S O'Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements:S Cronin, H van der Merwe, N White, D Toner, S Jennings, I Boss, I Madigan, D Kearney.
Ulster:Stefan Terblanche; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Tom Court, Rory Best, John Afoa, Johann Muller (capt), Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Pedrie Wannenburg. Replacements:Nigel Brady, Paddy McAllister, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Willie Faloon, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Adam D'Arcy.
Referee:Nigel Owens (Wales)
