Leinster v Bath: European Rugby Champions Cup preview
Last Updated: 05/04/15 5:23pm
Leinster make nine changes to the team that drew 34-34 with Glasgow Warriors last time out as they welcome Bath to the Aviva Stadium for the Champions Cup quarter-final.
Rob Kearney is one of a host of Six Nations winning players to return as the hosts look to end their three match winless streak.
There are six changes in the pack with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross forming a new look front row while Sean O’Brien is back to make his first appearance in blue since the opening day of the Guinness PRO12 season at Glasgow.
Jamie Heaslip captains the side on his 198th appearance for the club.
Meanwhile, Bath are boosted by the return of England quartet Dave Attwood, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson as well as Wales’ fit-again Paul James.
Carl Fearns, Francois Louw and Leroy Houston make up the back row while Joseph partners Kyle Eastmond in the midfield for the first time since late January as the Aviva Premiership’s third place side bid to book their place at the Stade Velodrome for the semi-final.
Mike Ford’s side are eyeing a third win on the bounce having lost the previous four.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Ian Madigan, 11 Luke Fitzgerald,10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Isaac Boss; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Jordi Murphy, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c).
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Dominic Ryan, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Gordon D'Arcy, 23 Zane Kirchner.
Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9 Micky Young; 1 Paul James, 2 Rob Webber, 3 Kane Palma-Newport, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 5 Dave Attwood, 6 Carl Fearns, 7 Francois Louw, 8 Leroy Houston.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Alafoti Faosiliva, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Sam Burgess, 23 Tom Homer.
