Horgan to lead Leinster

In the absence of Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan will captain Leinster for the first time when they face Glasgow in the Celtic…

In the absence of Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan will captain Leinster for the first time when they face Glasgow in the Celtic League tomorrow night.

Horgan, the only Ireland player involved in the World Cup named in Michael Cheika's starting line-up, will partner Christian Warner in midfield as the province seek to bounce back from the humiliating defeat at the hands of Llanelli last weekend.

"The focus this week has been on getting back on track," hooker Bernard Jackman said today. "Glasgow are a tough team and while they may not be a glamour side, we know how difficult opponents they can be.

"Coming off a defeat like we suffered last week, you can't just block it out. You don't just forget about it. You have to be hard on yourself, as we were when analysing the game in the early part of the week. You can then see what you did or didn't do. It's now about concentrating on putting in a strong performance and making amends."

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Malcolm O'Kelly is named on a bench which includes fellow international Keith Gleeson.

Ulster coach Mark McCall has bolstered his side with the inclusion of a number of international players returning from World Cup duty for their match with Llanelli.

Paddy Wallace and Issac Boss, will form the half-back partnership while in the front row Bryan Young replaces Justin Fitzpatrick.

Italian lock Carlo del Fava will make his first start in an Ulster shirt when he partners Justin Harrison in the secondrow while Stephen Ferris is named in the backrow ahead of Roger Wilson.

Gavin Duffy will make his first competitive start of the season for Connacht when Michael Bradley's side travel to Cardiff.

Duffy, who rejoined the province from Harlequins last March, played a part in Ireland's disastrous campaign and comes back into the starting line-up having been given a break last weekend.

Up front John Fogarty, Robbie Morris, Ray Ofisa and John Muldoon, who will captain the side, return to the side.

Welsh internationals Tom Shanklin, Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins all return to the Cardiff after their exit from the World Cup at the hands of Fiji.

Leinster: Ross McCarron; L Fitzgerald, S Horgan, C Warner, R Kearney; J Sexton, C Willis; S Wright, B Jackman, S Knoop; C Jowitt, D Toner; S Keogh, S Jennings, K McLaughlin. Replacements: B Blaney, C Healy, M O'Kelly, K Gleeson, C Keane, F McFadden, F Carr

Ulster: B Cunningham; M Bartholomeusz, T Bowe, S Mallon, S Danielli; P Wallace, I Boss; B Young, N Brady, T Court; J Harrison, C Del Fava; M McCullough, N McMillan, S Ferris. Replacements: R Best, J Fitzpatrick, J Barker, R Wilson, P Marshall, N O'Connor, M McCrea

Connacht: G Duffy; O Treviranus, M Deane, A Wynne, K Matthews; T Donnelly, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty, R Morris; M Swift, D Gannon; R Ofisa, J O'Connor, J Muldoon (C). Replacements: J Merrigan, B McGovern, A Browne, M McCarthy, C O'Loughlin, P Durcan, A Tuilevuka.