O’Brien ruled out of Pro12 final

Leinster flanker Seán O’Brien, who scooped the man of the match award in last weekend’s Heineken Cup final, has been ruled out of the province’s RaboDirect PRO12 final clash against the Ospreys in the RDS on Sunday (4pm) due to a knee injury.

Leinster flanker Seán O’Brien, who scooped the man of the match award in last weekend’s Heineken Cup final, has been ruled out of the province’s RaboDirect PRO12 final clash against the Ospreys in the RDS on Sunday (4pm) due to a knee injury.

Leo Cullen leads a team which includes 13 Ireland internationals for the province's third meeting of the season against the Welsh side.

Cullen partners Devin Toner at second row with the Moynalvey man set to make his 97th appearance - and his 30th this season.

There are several changes to the pack with Heinke van der Merwe joining Ireland duo Sean Cronin and Mike Ross in the front row.

Number eight Jamie Heaslip forms an experienced back row alongside Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin, who makes his 75th Leinster appearance.

The backline is unchanged from the side that started last weekend's Heineken Cup final with Eoin Reddan linking up with Jonathan Sexton at half back and Gordon D'Arcy continuing at centre alongside Brian O'Driscoll.

Cian Healy (dead leg) will face a late fitness test, while All Black Brad Thorn is named amongst a strong replacements bench for Sunday's sold out encounter.

Leinster (v Ospreys): R Kearney; F McFadden, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; H van der Merwe, S Cronin, M Ross; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip.

Replacements: R Strauss, C Healy/J McGrath, N White, B Thorn, D Ryan, J Cooney, I Madigan, D Kearney.

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