Cullen returns to lead Leinster

The Wicklow man is in line to make his 84th appearance after being named captain. He partners Trevor Hogan in the second row - one of seven full internationals in the starting pack. Incidentally, wing forward Stephen Keogh was capped at Ireland 'A' level earlier this summer.

Argentina prop Juan Francisco-Gomez makes his debut and he could be joined by Stephen Knoop and another returning star, Shane Jennings, who could also make his first outing since returning from Leicester.

Both Knoop and Jennings are named on a strong-looking bench alongside Cillian Willis who, in another injury boost to the province, is named at reserve scrum-half after missing the latter half of last season after shoulder surgery.

Meanwhile, there is a strong blend of youth and experience in the backline with Chris Whitaker partnering Jonathan Sexton at half-back. Christian Warner continues his promising midfield partnership with Michael Berne, while Ireland internationals Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald join Gary Brown in a lively-looking back three.

Speaking ahead of Leinster's opening Magners League game of the season, Gary Brown said that the team was in excellent shape as they embark on a new campaign in a new home.

Fresh from scoring a hat-trick of tries in the 66-3 victory over Padova last weekend, the 27-year-old said: "You can't target scoring tries at any time, but I think that one of our main aims as a backline last weekend was to go out and improve from the two previous defeats.

Against Biarritz and Bath we didn't perform as well as we could have, and wanted to, and we worked hard last week to improve our game-plan. I was delighted to get on the end of a couple of tries, but obviously they were down to some great work by the back-line as a whole.

There is a growing awareness by the squad that this is not only our first game of the season, but our first game in a new home venue. That in itself has helped create a real buzz around training. Michael (Cheika) even commented himself how well the pre-season training has gone.

On our return on the bus from Dublin Airport after our week's training camp in Biarritz, Barcelona and Bath we saw the development that was taking place in the ground. You could the new Stands going up, and it was very exciting.

Edinburgh are a professional side and I'm sure the goings on over the summer won't affect their players. Players tend to get on with their training and focus on how they play.

Personally speaking, it's a fixture that I'm really looking forward to. It's always an open game (between the two sides). Both sides like to get their hands on the ball and throw it around and it will be good to see Ben Gissing again.

The squad has really come together and is as close as it has ever been in my time here. Hopefully our supporters will see the benefits of all our hard work over the coming season. We're chomping at the bit to get out there and play competitive rugby."

Tickets will be on sale from Ticketmaster booths around the ground on Saturday from 3pm. There will be 'Family Day' activities around the ground from 4.30pm on Saturday with a Canterbury Roadshow, Tag Rugby, and skills and drills from the Leinster Women's Team.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Gary Brown
13: Michael Berne
12: Christian Warner
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Chris Whitaker

1: Stan Wright
2: Bernard Jackman
3: Juan Francisco-Gomez
4: Trevor Hogan
5: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
6: Stephen Keogh
7: Keith Gleeson
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Brian Blaney
17: Stephen Knoop
18: Devin Toner
19: Cameron Jowitt
20: Shane Jennings
21: Cillian Willis
22: Fergus McFadden