McLaughlin returns to much-changed Leinster for Ulster clash
Joe Schmidt has made eight personnel changes from the starting XV that lost to Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium last weekend for Friday's RaboDirect PRO12 derby meeting against Ulster at Ravenhill (7.05pm).
The New Zealander has named an entirely different front row with Cian Healy and Sean Cronin starting alongside Michael Bent who will make just his second start for the province.
Brendan Macken replaces Andrew Goodman as Gordon D’Arcy’s centre partner with Goodman dropping to the bench.
Eoin Reddan is set to make his 74th appearance at scrum-half where he will link up with Ian Madigan who switches from fullback to pivot with Jonathan Sexton left out of the match day squad.
Kevin McLaughlin returns to the back-row alongside fellow internationals Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien who moves to openside flanker in the absence of Shane Jennings.
The other changes see Noel Reid at fullback and Andrew Conway come onto the wing in place of Isa Nacewa while up front Devin Toner takes over from Damien Browne as captain Leo Cullen’s second-row partner.
Former CBS Naas back Adam Byrne is named on the bench and is in line to make his senior bow after impressing with two tries for the British & Irish Cup side in last weekend’s victory over Jersey.
Leinster (v Ulster): Reid, Conway, Macken, D’Arcy, McFadden, Madigan, Reddan, Healy, Cronin, Bent, Cullen (Capt), Toner, McLaughlin, O’Brien, Heaslip
Replacements: Dundon, van der Merwe, Hagan, Denton, Ruddock, Boss, Goodman, Byrne
