Heaslip in as Leinster captain for Scarlets

Jamie Heaslip makes his return for Leinster this weekend, when he will captain the side for the first home game of the season in his first Pro12 match of the campaign against Scarlets (KO Saturday 2.40pm, RDS).

Also making his first seasonal appearance is Ireland fullback Rob Kearney and lock Devin Toner, who partners Mike McCarthy in the secondrow.

With Kearney returning to fullback, South African Zane Kirchner moves to the right wing with Darragh Fanning again selected on the left wing. The St Mary's winger has now started all four of Leinster's pre-season and Pro12 games.

Ian Madigan will start the match at inside centre. Madigan came on last week in the centre for Noel Reid after only 40 seconds of the opening defeat to Glasgow.

Coach Matt O’Connor confirmed yesterday that Reid’s ankle injury is not as bad as first feared and expects him to be back within a number of weeks rather than months. Brendan Macken starts the game outside Madigan.

Isaac Boss, who made his 100th appearance for Leinster last weekend, starts again at nine, with Jimmy Gopperth again selected as his halfback partner.

After his try-scoring performance off the bench last week Jack McGrath starts at loosehead prop with Mike Ross on the other side of the frontrow and Seán Cronin at hooker.

Dominic Ryan takes his place at openside with Shane Jennings on the other side of the backrow and Heaslip completing the trio.

Leinster: R Kearney; Z Kirchner, B Macken, I Madigan, D Fanning; J Gopperth, I Boss; J McGrath, S Cronin, M Ross, M McCarthy, D Toner, D Ryan, S Jennings, J Heaslip (capt). Replacements - B Byrne, C Healy, T Furlong, B Marshall, K McLaughlin, E Reddan, S Crosbie, M McGrath.