LEINSTER HAVE NAMED Johnny Sexton in their team to face Zebre in the Guinness Pro12 clash at the RDS tomorrow [KO 7.35pm, TG4].
The 31-year-old will captain the province as he makes his comeback from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since Ireland’s meeting with New Zealand on 19 November.
Sexton’s return is a major boost to Leinster ahead of the return of the Champions Cup in the coming weeks, while Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will also be pleased to see the out-half back in action with the Six Nations looming.
Sexton is one of seven changes to the Leinster XV after the win over Ulster on New Year’s Eve, with Robbie Henshaw back to partner Garry Ringrose in the centres, completing what may well be Ireland’s midfield trio next month against Scotland.
Zane Kirchner returns at fullback for Leinster, while Cian Healy and James Tracy start in the front row. There are two further changes in the back row, as Dan Leavy wears the six shirt and Jack Conan starts at number eight.
Leinster:
15. Zane Kirchner
14. Adam Byrne
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Rory O’Loughlin
10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
9. Luke McGrath
1. Cian Healy
2. James Tracy
3. Michael Bent
4. Devin Toner
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Dan Leavy
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Jack McGrath
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Rhys Ruddock
20. Jamie Heaslip
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Ross Byrne
23. Noel Reid
Referee: Dan Jones [WRU].
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