

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has this afternoon confirmed his match day 23 for the Guinness PRO14, Round 5 game tomorrow evening against Edinburgh Rugby in the RDS Arena (Kick Off: 7.35pm – live on TG4).

There is a welcome return for a number of players in particular four of the Leinster players that toured with the British & Irish Lions during the summer.

Joey Carbery is selected at full back for the third game in a row, with Dave Kearney again selected on the left wing with Fergus McFadden making his first start of the Guinness PRO14 campaign on the right wing having recovered from a hamstring injury picked up ahead of the Southern Kings game.

Noel Reid and Rory O’Loughlin form an all-St. Michael’s midfield pairing while another Michael’s alumni Luke McGrath starts at scrum half having recovered from an arm injury.

The first of the returning Lions players sees Johnny Sexton captain the side from number ten. The game could also be an extra special occasion for Sexton as he is only nine points away from becoming the all-time highest Leinster points scorer. Felipe Contepomi currently sits on top with 1,225 points with Sexton on 1,217.

In the pack another two Lions line out with Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong making their seasonal bows, with Seán Cronin in between the two at hooker.

Scott Fardy and Devin Toner both return to the second row having missed the mini-tour to South Africa.

In the back row Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy are selected at blindside and openside with Seán O’Brien the final Lions addition at No. 8.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Joey Carbery (25)

14. Fergus McFadden (152)

13. Rory O’Loughlin (25)

12. Noel Reid (84)

11. Dave Kearney (113)

10. Johnny Sexton (136) CAPTAIN

9. Luke McGrath (77)

1. Jack McGrath (113)

2. Seán Cronin (132)

3. Tadhg Furlong (67)

4. Devin Toner (200)

5. Scott Fardy (2)

6. Rhys Ruddock (134)

7. Jordi Murphy (88)

8. Seán O’Brien (110)

16. Bryan Byrne (18)

17. Ed Byrne (10)

18. Andrew Porter (12)

19. Ross Molony (47)

20. Max Deegan (5)

21. Jamison Gibson-Park (31)

22. Ross Byrne (27)

23. Jordan Larmour (3)

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 66th competition game)