Rugby

Leinster’s Lions return to the fray

McFadden and Roux have recovered from injury to take their places in the starting lineup

Brian O’Driscoll. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Brian O’Driscoll. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Thu Sept 26 2013 - 12:48

Leinster welcome back British & Irish Lions Brian O'Driscoll, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney to the starting line-up for tomorrow night's RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Cardiff at the RDS (7.35).

O'Driscoll, making his first appearance of the season for Leinster, is named in the centre alongside Noel Reid. He will wear the Leinster jersey for the 174th time tomorrow night.

Leinster coach Matt O'Connor was also able to call upon a fit again Fergus McFadden and secondrow Quinn Roux. Ian Madigan starts his first game at outhalf this season and is joined at halfback by Isaac Boss.

Heaslip (167 appearances) will captain the team and is included in a backrow, that contains Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan. Martin Moore's form is rewarded with a start at tighthead with Mike Ross on the bench.

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Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, N Reid, D Kearney; I Madigan, I Boss; C Healy, S Cronin, M Moore; D Toner, Q Roux; R Ruddock, D Ryan, J Heaslip (capt). Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, M Ross, T Denton, J Murphy, J Cooney, J Gopperth, B Macken.

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