Hickie to make 50th European start

Denis Hickie will make his 50th European Cup appearance for Leinster when the province hosts Agen at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

He starts on the left wing in a strong back unit that sees Girvan Dempsey return at fullback, Shane Horgan start on the right flank and Gordon D'Arcy and captain Brian O'Driscoll in the centre.

Christian Warner is at outhalf for the injured Felipe Contepomi.

Cook Island's prop Stanley Wright - a last minute signing owing to Fosi Pala'amo's injury - starts while Stephen Keogh is recalled to the starting line-up alongside Keith Gleeson and Jamie Heaslip in the backrow.

A final decision on the replacements between Andrew Dunne and Kieran Lewis will be made tomorrow lunchtime.

Bernard Jackman is also named on a strong bench that includes Reggie Corrigan, Owen Finegan, Guy Easterby, Cameron Jowitt and teenage sensation Luke Fitzgerald.

While his team are strong favourites for the game, Leinster coach Michael Cheika says his players must be wary of Agen.

"One thing for sure is that they will come out at us with everything," he said.

"They're a strong group of players with a major attacking weapon in (Rupeni) Caucaunibuca. He is a brilliant talent but we can't build a strategy to deal with him on his own.

"He has scored a lot of tries in the French League over the last two years, so there's no way you can devalue his talent.

"If we double or triple team him then we'll forget about the others. But we've got a few weapons of our own. Remember, he'll have to deal with Shane Horgan."

The game - which kicks-off at 5.35pm - is an all-ticket affair and cash will not be taken at the turnstiles.

Tickets are available from the following outlets - Spar (Donnybrook), Leinster Rugby Store  Donnybrook), Elvery's (Suffolk Street, Dawson Street), online at www.leinsterrugby.ie, from all Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and from www.ticketmaster.ie

LEINSTER:  15: Girvan Dempsey, 14: Shane Horgan, 13: Brian O'Driscoll, 12: Gordon D'Arcy, 11: Denis Hickie 10: Christian Warner, 9: Chris Whitaker; 1: Ronan McCormack, 2: Brian Blaney, 3: Stanley Wright, 4: Trevor Hogan, 5: Malcolm O'Kelly, 6: Stephen Keogh, 7: Keith Gleeson, 8: Jamie Heaslip. Replacements:  16: Bernard Jackman, 17: Reggie Corrigan, 18: Owen Finegan, 19: Cameron Jowitt, 20: Guy Easterby, 21: Andrew Dunne/Kieran Lewis, 22: Luke Fitzgerald.