LEINSTER HAVE NAMED Johnny Sexton in their team to face Zebre in the Guinness Pro12 clash at the RDS tomorrow [KO 7.35pm, TG4].

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

The 31-year-old will captain the province as he makes his comeback from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since Ireland’s meeting with New Zealand on 19 November.

Sexton’s return is a major boost to Leinster ahead of the return of the Champions Cup in the coming weeks, while Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will also be pleased to see the out-half back in action with the Six Nations looming.

Sexton is one of seven changes to the Leinster XV after the win over Ulster on New Year’s Eve, with Robbie Henshaw back to partner Garry Ringrose in the centres, completing what may well be Ireland’s midfield trio next month against Scotland.

Zane Kirchner returns at fullback for Leinster, while Cian Healy and James Tracy start in the front row. There are two further changes in the back row, as Dan Leavy wears the six shirt and Jack Conan starts at number eight.

Leinster:

15. Zane Kirchner

14. Adam Byrne

13. Garry Ringrose

12. Robbie Henshaw

11. Rory O’Loughlin

10. Johnny Sexton (captain)

9. Luke McGrath

1. Cian Healy

2. James Tracy

3. Michael Bent

4. Devin Toner

5. Hayden Triggs

6. Dan Leavy

7. Sean O’Brien

8. Jack Conan

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin

17. Jack McGrath

18. Tadhg Furlong

19. Rhys Ruddock

20. Jamie Heaslip

21. Jamison Gibson-Park

22. Ross Byrne

23. Noel Reid

Referee: Dan Jones [WRU].

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