Advertisement
Sexton managed 55 minutes against Zebre last week. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Team news

Sexton and Heaslip included to face Montpellier but O'Brien absent for Leinster

The eastern province can book their place in the knockout stages with a win.

LEINSTER HEAD COACH Leo Cullen has named Johnny Sexton and Jamie Heaslip in a strong-looking team to face Montpellier tomorrow night in the European Champions Cup at the RDS (KO 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports 2).

In total, there are five changes from the team that demolished Zebre in the Pro12 last weekend, as Cullen’s side aim to become the first team to secure qualification for the knockout stages of this year’s competition, with Sean O’Brien missing.

There is one change in the backs, with captain Isa Nacewa returning.

Sexton is included after suffering no adverse effects from last weekend, which will also be welcome news to Ireland coach Joe Schmidt with the Six Nations on the horizon.

In the back row, only Jack Conan maintains his place but he is forced to move to blind side flanker due to Heaslip’s return.

Josh van der Flier, who missed out last weekend’s fixture through illness, comes in at openside. In the frontrow, Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong also earn a recall.

Leinster:

15. Isa Nacewa (Captain)
14. Adam Byrne
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Rory O’Loughlin
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Luke McGrath

1. Jack McGrath
2. James Tracy
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Jack Conan
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:

16. Richardt Strauss
17. Cian Healy
18. Michael Bent
19. Ross Molony
20. Dan Leavy
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Ross Byrne
23. Rob Kearney

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

In-form Munster midfielder Rory Scannell hopeful of getting Ireland call

Ulster European hopes hang on Exeter clash, but Kiss insists it won’t define the season

Your Voice
Readers Comments
26
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.