Fitzgerald drops in for O'Driscoll

Rugby – Leinster/Ulster Team News:Brian O'Driscoll has failed to recover in time to line out for Leinster in tomorrow's Heineken Cup clash against Saracens at Wembley (kick-off 5.45pm). Luke Fitzgerald will cover for the Irish captain at centre with provincial skipper Leo Cullen named on the bench.

O'Driscoll was given every chance to recover from a hamstring injury picked up during last weekend’s bonus point win over Racing Metro 92 at the RDS.

Coach Joe Schmidt delayed up until the last minute before conceding he would be without the Ireland captain for the Wembley showdown. O’Driscoll had been unable to train with the province all week despite rehab work "going well". At best O’Driscoll was rated 50-50 to line out in London.

Fitzgerald will partner Gordon D’Arcy at centre with Eoin Reddan continuing his half-back partnership with Jonathan Sexton. Fergus McFadden was touted as a replacement for O’Driscoll and he will serve as cover from the bench.

Shane Horgan, who lies in fourth place in the competition’s all-time try-scoring list (26 tries), has been named on the right wing and will make his 80th Heineken Cup appearance for the province in a backline which features six Ireland internationals.

Prop Cian Healy, a second half replacement in the 38-22 victory over Racing-Metro 92, starts in the frontrow alongside Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross. Jamie Heaslip leads the team in what will be the province’s 99th game in European competition.

In a timely boost, Cullen was included in the match-day squad for the first time this season after being named among the replacements.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made four changes and one positional switch from the side that defeated Aironi ahead of this Sunday’s assignment against Biarritz.

Jamie Smith (shoulder girdle/rib) and Darren Cave (hamstring) were both ruled out with David McIlwaine coming in at fullback and Ian Whitten to start at centre.

Up front BJ Botha's return to fitness means he will take his place at tighthead berth with Tom Court switching to the loose. In the backrow, Stephen Ferris' return sees him named at openside flanker with Chris Henry dropping to the bench.

Elsewhere amongst the replacements, Andi Kyriacou provides cover at hooker in place of Nigel Brady. Bryan Young drops from the starting XV to cover prop in place of rookie Alan Whitten, while Willie Faloon makes way for Henry. Nevin Spence and Irish-qualified Aussie Adam D'Arcy provide the backline cover following McIlwaine and Whitten's promotion to the starting XV.

Leinster team (v Saracens):

R Kearney, S Horgan, L Fitzgerald, G D’Arcy, I Nacewa, J Sexton, E Reddan, C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross, N Hines, D Toner, S O’Brien, S Jennings, J Heaslip (Capt)

Replacements:

J Harris-Wright, H van der Merwe, S Shawe, L Cullen, D Ryan, I Boss, F McFadden, E O’Malley

Ulster team (v Biarritz):

D McIlwaine, A Trimble, I Whitten, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar, T Court, R Best, BJ Botha, J Muller, T Barker, P Wannenburg, S Ferris, R Diack

Replacements:

A Kyriacou, P McAllister, B Young, D Tuohy, C Henry, P Marshall, N Spence, A D'Arcy