Luke Fitzgerald starts for Leinster in Connacht clash

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced his squad for Saturday's Pro12 visit to the Sportsground - with 12 players who were involved in Ireland's match day and extended match day squad last weekend against Scotland returning to the fold for the Connacht match.

He is also able to call upon the fit again Luke Fitzgerald who returns for this first time since January to make his 150th appearance for the province.

Irish players Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Jamie Heaslip and Eoin Reddan are all included on the bench.

With Fergus McFadden coming on to the right wing, captain Isa Nacewa who makes his 100th Pro12 appearance on Saturday reverts to full back with Fitzgerald taking up the number 11 jersey. Ben Te'o and Garry Ringrose continue in midfield.

Luke McGrath again starts at scrumhalf with Ian Madigan joining him in the half backs.

Cian Healy comes in at loose head prop with Richardt Strauss also starting at hooker. Tadhg Furlong completes the front row.

Behind them Ross Molony and Hayden Triggs start in the second row, while in the back row Dominic Ryan starts from blind side with Josh van der Flier and Rhys Ruddock back from Ireland duty to complete the pack.

Leinster Rugby have also confirmed that 40,000 tickets have now been sold for the game against Munster on Saturday week in the Aviva Stadium with tickets still on sale from leinsterrugby.ie/tickets or on match day from the ticket office based in the Ballsbridge Hotel.

LEINSTER: Isa Nacewa (Captain); Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Luke Fitzgerald; Ian Madigan, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, Hayden Triggs; Dominic Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Rhys Ruddock.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Jamie Heaslip, Eoin Reddan, Noel Reid, Zane Kirchner.