Cian Healy and Mike Ross among five Leinster changes

Captain Isa Nacewa returns from a knee injury to lead Leo Cullen’s team against Zebre

The Leinster forwards form a huddle in training ahead of the visit of Zebre. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
The Leinster forwards form a huddle in training ahead of the visit of Zebre. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made five changes to his team to face Zebre on Friday evening in the RDS.

There are three changes in the pack and two in the backs from the team that lost out to the Dragons last time out.

Cian Healy and Mike Ross return from hamstring and knee injuries respectively to prop down alongside James Tracy, with Ross Molony and Hayden Triggs continuing in the second row.

The back row sees Josh van der Flier return from Ireland camp at open side flanker with Dominic Ryan and Jordi Murphy again selected at blind side and number eight.

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In the backs Isa Nacewa returns from a knee injury to captain the side form the left wing with Adam Byrne again starting on the right and Zane Kirchner selected at full back.

Ben Te'o and Garry Ringrose continue in midfield with Isaac Boss partnering Cathal Marsh in the half backs.

LEINSTER: Zane Kirchner; Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Isa Nacewa (captain); Cathal Marsh, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, James Tracy, Mike Ross; Ross Molony, Hayden Triggs; Dominic Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: Seán Cronin, Peter Dooley, Michael Bent, Tom Denton, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath, Noel Reid, Cian Kelleher.