Leinster Rugby - Team Announcement v Ospreys

In total there are seven changes to the team that beat Zebre with a try bonus point last Friday in the RDS, with a number of players being retained by the Irish management ahead of their game with England on Sunday. However, a number of other players have been released from the squad of 37 announced by Joe Schmidt earlier in the week and will travel over to Wales later on today.

Zane Kirchner continues at full back with Fergus McFadden selected on the left wing for his 120th Leinster cap. On the right wing Dave Kearney starts in place of Luke Fitzgerald who is not involved this weekend.

Gordon D'Arcy and Ben Te'o are once again selected in the centre, while Isaac Boss captains the side from scrumhalf with Jimmy Gopperth, who scored a try and four successful kicks in a 14 point haul last weekend, starting at 10.

In the pack, Richardt Strauss starts at hooker with Tadhg Furlong also coming in from the start at tight head. Michael Bent once again scrums down at loose head prop.

In the second row, Tom Denton starts alongside Kane Douglas who makes his 19th appearance in blue since arriving from the Waratahs in the summer. In the back row there are two changes with Rhys Ruddock returning from injury to start at blindside flanker, while Josh Van Der Flier makes his second start of the season at open side. It is Ruddock's first start since injuring his arm in the Champions Cup win over Harlequins in December. Jack Conan continues from the base of the scrum.

On the bench Clontarf RFC clubman Royce Burke-Flynn is in line to make his Leinster debut having previously been a member of the Leinster Academy. Burke-Flynn has already played for the Leinster A team this season in the British & Irish Cup against Carmarthen Quins and Plymouth Albion.

The game is live on TG4 tomorrow evening with a 7.35pm kick off.

LEINSTER:

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Dave Kearney
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Isaac Boss CAPTAIN

1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tom Denton
5. Kane Douglas
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Josh Van Der Flier
8. Jack Conan

16. Aaron Dundon
17. Peter Dooley
18. Royce Burke-Flynn
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Noel Reid
23. Darragh Fanning

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 42nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans, Chris Williams (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)