Leinster Rugby - Team Announcement v Zebre

Hooker Richardt Strauss will make his 95th appearance for Leinster as he makes a welcome return nearly five months to the day of his last appearance against Edinburgh in the PRO12. A serious hamstring injury, which needed surgery, put paid to his season but he makes a return in a front row that also includes Jack McGrath and Marty Moore, who have also recovered from respective calf and shoulder niggles.

In the second row, Mike McCarthy is partnered by Kane Douglas who makes his first appearance away from home for Leinster. Devin Toner starts from the bench.

With an average age of 22, the back row has a young feel to it with 23 year old Irish international Rhys Ruddock very much the veteran with 85 caps and four tries to his name. He is joined by Jack Conan who makes his second start for the province and by Academy player Josh van der Flier, who makes his full debut having started the pre-season friendly against Northampton Saints and having come off the bench against Ulster a week later in Tallaght Stadium.

Rob Kearney will captain the team from full back with recent Bank of Ireland player of the month winner for September, Darragh Fanning, continuing on the left wing with Zane Kirchner making a welcome return on the right wing. This is Kirchner's first game back since picking up an injury against Scarlets in Round Two.

Isaac Boss and Ian Madigan start as the half back partnership while Noel Reid and Gordon D'Arcy pull on the number 12 and 13 jersey. This will be Reid'd first game since going off after less than a minute in the Round One game away to Glasgow.

Tickets for the Champions Cup game at home to Wasps on Sunday, 19th October (Kick Off: 5.15pm), are available on www.leinsterrugby.ie/tickets while tickets to the next Guinness PRO12 game at home to Edinburgh on Friday, 31st October are also available at the same link.

LEINSTER:

15. Rob Kearney CAPTAIN
14. Zane Kirchner
13. Gordon D'Arcy
12. Noel Reid
11. Darragh Fanning
10. Ian Madigan
9. Isaac Boss
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Marty Moore
4. Mike McCarthy
5. Kane Douglas
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Devin Toner
20. Jamie Heaslip
21. Luke McGrath
22. Jimmy Gopperth
23. Mick McGrath

Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 63rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Matteo Liperini, Francesco Russo (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Achille Reali (FIR)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)