Leinster travel to Limerick without Sexton
Leinster fly half Jonathan Sexton has been ruled out of tomorrow’s derby encounter with Munster with the management opting to give the kicker another week’s recovery before returning to action.
Sexton has been out of action since injuring his ankle in the lead up to Ireland’s final RBS six Nations game against Italy.
It had been hoped the fly half would be back in action by the time the province travelled to Adams Park to take on Wasps in the Amlin Challenge Cup last weekend but the medical staff are now targeting a return next weekend when Leinster take on Zebre.
However the blues are boosted by the returns of Brian O’Driscoll who is back in the team after completing his three-week suspension.
The centre will make his first Leinster appearance since the European victory over Exeter Chiefs and he will partner Gordon D'Arcy in midfield for the trip to Thomond Park.
Fergus McFadden picked up a slight calf strain in last Friday's clash against Wasps but should be available for the Zebre match.
Sexton’s absence hands Ian Madigan another chance to impress in the number ten jersey. His 28-point haul last weekend took him past the 300-point career mark and he has now scored 202 points in his 26 appearances so far this season.
Sean O'Brien will make his 80th appearance and he is joined in the pack by fellow Ireland international Sean Cronin who makes his 45th appearance in Leinster colours.
Leo Cullen leads the team and will be partnered at second row by Quinn Roux, with Shane Jennings recovering from last week's illness to take his place in the back-row alongside O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip.
Kevin McLaughlin is one of four Ireland international forwards named on the bench.
Leinster (v. Munster): R Kearney; D Kearney, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, I Nacewa; I Madigan, I Boss; C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross; L Cullen (capt), Q Roux; S O’Brien, S Jennings, J Heaslip.
Replacements: R Struass, J McGrath, M Bent, D Toner, K McLaughlin, J Cooney, A Goodman, A Conway.
