Fitzgerald returns to Leinster side for Ospreys encounter

Luke Fitzgerald returns to the Leinster starting line-up for this weekend’s Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the RDS.

Fitzgerald hasn’t featured since picking up an injury on international duty with Ireland in November and will start at full back in an all-Ireland qualified backline for the visit of the Ospreys in a game which will mark the province’s 50th competitive encounter in the RDS.

Fitzgerald lines up in a back three which includes Shane Horgan and Fergus McFadden, with Brian O’Driscoll partnering Gordon D’Arcy at centre and Jonathan Sexton partnering Eoin Reddan at half-back.

Leo Cullen skippers the side and lines up at second row with Devin Toner, with Dominic Ryan coming into the back-row alongside Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip.

Isaac Boss, Nathan Hines and Rhys Ruddock are named on a bench which contains a mix of youth and experience and a decision on the final outside back replacement will be made closer to kick off.

Leinster’s clash with the Ospreys kicks off at the RDS on Friday at 7.35pm.

LEINSTER: Luke Fitzgerald; Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Fergus McFadden; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Leo Cullen (Captain), Devin Toner, Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.

REPLACEMENTS: Jason Harris-Wright, Heinke van der Merwe, Clint Newland, Nathan Hines, Rhys Ruddock, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Eoin O’Malley/Isa Nacewa.