Leinster’s Ireland core are set to return to provincial action on Friday night as Leo Cullen’s side take on the Scarlets at the RDS.

Cullen has rang in the changes for the visit of the Pro 12 table-toppers, fielding a completely new starting line-up from the one which defeated Treviso 27-3 last Sunday.

With Johnny Sexton moving onto the bench his replacement in the national side Ian Madigan takes the number 10 jersey for the first time this season and leads a backline which has a blend of youth and experience.

Rob Kearney is also set to make his first Leinster start of the season from fullback and Zane Kirchener has returned from South Africa duty to start on the right wing.

The experienced duo are joined in the back three by Lansdowne’s Cian Kelleher on his full Leinster debut while Garry Ringrose will make his first start at centre.

Cullen has also been able to select a very strong looking pack, with Jamie Heaslip back to captain the side form number eight alongside Sean O’Brien and Doinic Ryan.

Devin Toner returns in the secondrow alongside Tom Denton while Mike Ross and Cian Healy start either side of debutant UCD hooker James Tracy.

Leinster: Rob Kearney; Zane Kirchner, Garry Ringrose, Noel Reid, Cian Kelleher; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, James Tracy, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Tom Denton; Dominic Ryan, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Hayden Triggs, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath, Johnny Sexton, Ben Te'o.

Scarlets: Aled Thomas; Tom Williams, Gareth Owen, Hadleigh Parkes, Michael Tagicakibau; Dan Jones, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Emyr Phillips, Peter Edwards; Jake Ball, Lewis Rawlins; Aaron Shingler, James Davies, John Barclay.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Dylan Evans, Will Taylor, Tom Price, Maselino Paulino, Aled Davies, Michael Collins, Harry Robinson.