Two changes to Leinster side for Saracens clash

As expected, Brian O’Driscoll has lost his battle to be fit for Leinster’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens this weekend.

O’Driscoll, who suffered a hamstring injury against Racing Metro, had been rated as 50/50 to start for Joe Schmidt’s side, but he will not feature at Wembley, with Shane Horgan coming into replace the Irish captain. Horgan will play on the wing, with Luke Fitzgerald taking O’Driscoll’s place at outside centre.

Horgan for O’Driscoll is one of only two changes made to the side that defeated Racing Metro at the RDS last Saturday. The other change is in the front row, with Cian Healy coming in for Heinke van der Merwe.

In a timely boost for the province, Leo Cullen has been included in the match-day squad for the first time this season after being named amongst the replacements.

Leinster’s clash with Saracens kicks off in Wembley Stadium on Saturday at 5.45pm.

LEINSTER: Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald, Gordon D’Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Nathan Hines, Devin Toner; Sean O’Brien, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.

REPLACEMENTS: Jason Harris-Wright, Heinke van der Merwe, Simon Shawe, Leo Cullen, Dominic Ryan, Isaac Boss, Fergus McFadden, Eoin O’Malley