Rugby – Team news:Brian O'Driscoll will mark his 150th Leinster appearance when Joe Schmidt's side take on an Ulster line-up that shows just one change from last weekend when they meet in tomorrow night's Magners League semi-final at the RDS (kick-off 7.05pm).
The Leinster coach, with one eye on the upcoming Heineken Cup final, has still named a potent starting line-up that includes no less than six Irish internationals. However, there is no place for winger Shane Horgan.
O’Driscoll will form a familiar centre partnership alongside Gordon D’Arcy, while Fergus McFadden, who kicked 18 points in the victory over Glasgow last weekend, starts on the right wing in a back three which includes Luke Fitzgerald and Isa Nacewa. Isaac Boss partners Jonathan Sexton at half pack.
Cian Healy will mark his 50th Magners League appearance for the province and is named in the frontrow alongside Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross. Leo Cullen captains the side and starts at secondrow alongside Nathan Hines with Shane Jennings, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip completing the pack.
Heinke van der Merwe is named on the replacements bench alongside Ireland international trio Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan and Devin Toner.
Brian McLaughlin’s Ulster side travel to Dublin as the obvious underdogs against a Leinster side seemingly at the height of their powers. That said, Ulster will be determined to put on a good show and book their place in the final.
In the only change to the starting line-up, Tim Barker comes in to replace Dan Tuohy, who injured a hamstring against the Dragons last week and was ruled out after an MRI scan.
Neil McComb is the only change on the bench as he takes the place vacated by Barker. McLaughlin will also be without Willie Faloon who injured his shoulder in training two weeks ago and will undergo surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
Ulster are still without injured internationals Paddy Wallace, Stephen Ferris, Andrew Trimble and BJ Botha. Ferris has not played since January and earlier this week was ruled out for the remainder of the season to continue rehabilitation from knee surgery.
"We have got one shot at reaching the Magners final and it is something these guys really want to achieve," said McLaughlin on BBC NI. "You are judged on how much silverware you win and we have not done that for a while."
Leinster have lost just once in the Magners League at the RDS since September 2008 (17-12 to Ospreys in last season's Grand Final) and go into tomorrow’s game having won their last five games in all competitions.
Ulster also show decent league form as last month’s 34-26 defeat to Leinster at the RDS was their only defeat in their last nine Magners leagues outings.
Over 14,000 tickets have been sold for the game but tickets are still on sale and will be available to purchase at the gate on the night. Prices start from €30 for adults and €10 for children, while family tickets are available for €70 for a family of four.
Munster host Ospreys in the other semi-final at Thomond Park on Saturday with kick-off in Limerick at 6.30pm.
Leinster: I Nacewa, F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald, J Sexton, I Boss, C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen (Capt), N Hines, S O'Brien, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Replacements: J Harris-Wright, H van der Merwe, S Wright, D Toner, K McLaughlin, E Reddan, I Madigan, D Kearney
Ulster: A D'Arcy; C Gilroy, D Cave, N Spence, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best (Capt), D Fitzpatrick, J Muller, T Barker, P Wannenburg, C Henry, R Diack. Replacements: A Kyriacou, P McAllister, J Cronin, N McComb, T Anderson, P Marshall, I Whitten, C Gaston.
