Leinster Welcome Back A Number Of Injured Stars As Team Named For PRO12 Clash

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has announced his Leinster side take on Benetton Treviso in the Guinness PRO12 on Sunday.

There is a welcome return to the match day squad for a number of players that have been sidelined by injury, while Irish international Richardt Strauss will lead Leinster for the first time on the occasion of his 139th cap.

The back three features Zane Kirchner at full back with Adam Byrne continuing on the right wing and Dave Kearney returning for his first game since October when he injured his ankle against Cardiff Blues.

Tighthead Mike Ross makes his first match day squad since the away trip to Zebre in early November when a hamstring injury picked up in that game kept him out of the game for over three months. There is also a welcome return for Joey Carbery on the bench. The Clontarf man injured his ankle in the Round 3, Champions Cup game away to Northampton Saints in December.

LEINSTER (Leinster caps in brackets): 

15. Zane Kirchner (78)
14. Adam Byrne (14)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (14)
12. Noel Reid (74)
11. Dave Kearney (107)
10. Ross Byrne (14)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (18)
1. Peter Dooley (29)
2. Richardt Strauss CAPTAIN (138)
3. Michael Bent (77)
4. Mick Kearney (16)
5. Ian Nagle (7)
6. Dominic Ryan (109)
7. Dan Leavy (29)
8. Jack Conan (42)

16. Bryan Byrne (15)
17. Andrew Porter (5)
18. Mike Ross (144)
19. Ross Molony (34)
20. Peadar Timmins (4)
21. Luke McGrath (65)
22. Joey Carbery (12)
23. Barry Daly (5)