D'Arcy in Leinster squad
Grand Slam winner Gordon D'Arcy, Captain Leo Cullen and CJ van der Linde return to the Leinster squad to play Ulster in Sunday's Magners League clash at the RDS (KO: 5.30pm).
Fellow Ireland internationals Girvan Dempsey, Trevor Hogan, Shane Horgan, Bernard Jackman and Malcolm O'Kelly join the likes of Felipe Contepomi, Isa Nacewa and Rocky Elsom in the extended panel. The team is expected to be named on Friday lunchtime.
Leinster coach Michael Cheika said D'Arcy requested to play against Ulster, adding that he is delighted with the Grand Slam winner's attitude.
"Gordon D'Arcy is rested enough over the last 12 months! He's keen to play and expressed his desire to play this weekend. We respect that from our players," he said.
"He had time off earlier in the week and won't come back and join us until later in the week and it's good that, with the game being on the Sunday, have an extra bit of time to prepare".
"There are some very big games coming up over the next three weeks in the context of retaining the Magners League title, the derby nature of the next two games (against Ulster and Munster), as well as the European qualification (against Harlequins)".
LEINSTER SQUAD (v Ulster):
Forwards (17): Cian Healy, Ronan McCormack, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop, Stan Wright, CJ van der Linde, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Malcolm O'Kelly, Rocky Elsom, Cameron Jowitt, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh
Backs (12): Paul O'Donohoe, Chris Whitaker, Felipe Contepomi, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Keogh, Isa Nacewa, Gordon D'Arcy, Fergus McFadden, Eoin O'Malley, Shane Horgan, Gary Brown, Girvan Dempsey
