Updated 12.10pm
BRIAN O’DRISCOLL HAS been named in the Leinster starting XV to face Northampton in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup final in Cardiff after proving his fitness for the game.
The side is unchanged from that which beat Toulouse in the semi-final with O’Driscoll managing to recover from a knee injury sustained in the Magners League semi-final with Ulster last weekend.
Leo Cullen will captain the side and is one of six Ireland internationals in the pack.
O’Driscoll will partner Gorden D’Arcy at centre in a back line which also includes six Irish internationals.
The only change to the 23-man panel is the inclusion of Shane Jennings.
Isaac Boss – who had hamstring trouble – and Richardt Strauss (hip) have overcome their problems and make the squad which is in full:
Leinster: I Nacewa; S Horgan, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen (C), N Hines, K McLaughlin, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: J Harris-Wright, H Van Der Merwe, S Wright, D Toner, S Jennings, I Boss, I Madigan, F McFadden
Meanwhile Northampton are at full-strength and include two Irishmen in James Downey at first centre and Roger Wilson at number eight. Their squad in full is:
Northampton Saints: B Foden; C Ashton, J Clarke, J Downey, P Diggin; S Myler, L Dickson; S Tonga’uiha, D Hartley (C), B Mujati, C Lawes, C Day, C Clark, P Dowson, R Wilson.
Replacements: B Sharman, A Waller, T Mercey, M Sorenson, M Easter, S Commins, S Geraghty, J Ansbro
Leinster began the first leg of their Cardiff journey this morning throwing their bags in the hold and jumping on board the Aircoach to head to Dublin airport for the short flight to Cardiff (All pictures via Aircoach):