Leinster Team For Clermont Clash Named

The Leinster team to face ASM Clermont Auvergne in Friday night’s Heineken Cup Quarter Final in the RDS (KO: 8pm) has been named.

Brian O’Driscoll partners international colleague Gordon D’Arcy at centre for Friday’s sellout encounter, in a backline which includes the returning Shane Horgan from injury. Horgan lines up on the right wing in a back three which also features Rob Kearney (full-back) and Isa Nacewa (left wing).

In the pack, Leo Cullen skippers the side and is partnered at second row by Scotland’s Nathan Hines. Stan Wright continues in the front row alongside John Fogarty and CJ van der Linde, while Kevin McLaughlin takes his place in the back-row alongside fellow Ireland colleagues Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip.

As this match is a sellout and there are expected to be traffic delays around Ballsbridge, supporters are encouraged to use public transport. There will be no tickets on sale on the night.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney

14: Shane Horgan

13: Brian O’Driscoll

12: Gordon D’Arcy

11: Isa Nacewa

10: Jonathan Sexton

9: Eoin Reddan

1: Stan Wright

2: John Fogarty

3: CJ van der Linde

4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN

5: Nathan Hines

6: Kevin McLaughlin

7: Shane Jennings

8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Bernard Jackman

17: Mike Ross

18: Cian Healy

19: Malcolm O’Kelly

20: Stephen Keogh

21: Paul O’Donohoe

22: Shaun Berne

23: Girvan Dempsey

REFEREE: Dave Pearson (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Wayne Barnes (RFU), Stuart Terheege (RFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Greg Garner (RFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Bruce Robertson (RFU), TMO: Geoff Warren (RFU)

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.