Leinster v Saracens: Teams

Leinster have named Sean O'Brien at number eight in place of the injured Jamie Heaslip for the Heineken Cup clash with Saracens on Saturday.

Heaslip has been ruled out with an ankle problem so the Leinster fans' player of the month steps in alongside Dominic Ryan and Shane Jennings in the back row.

The back line remains largely unchanged, with Eoin Reddan partnering Jonathan Sexton at half-back while Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll team up in the centres.

Leinster's most capped Heineken Cup player Shane Hogan - who is set for his 83rd appearance in the competition - plays on the opposite wing to Fergus McFadden while Isa Nacewa is named at full-back.

The Pool Two leaders also have strong reinforcements to call on, with Ireland internationals Isaac Boss, Luke Fitzgerald, Kevin McLaughlin and Devin Toner among those on the bench.

Changes

Saracens, who so far have endured a disappointing European campaign, make four changes to their starting line-up for the trip to Dublin.

Number eight Ernst Joubert, prop Rhys Gill and full-back Nils Mordt all come into the starting XV in place of Jacques Burger, Deon Carstens and Alex Goode, who are missing with minor knocks.

Second row Hugh Vyvyan is also named in the starting line-up, while Jared Saunders and Gavin Henson have both been registered for European competition and are on the bench.

Neil de Kock is also named as a replacement after returning from paternity leave.

"We know it is going to be a very tough match, but we know we can go there and put in a good performance," Sarries flanker Andy Saull said of the clash.

"We've lost three games in the group and they have all been by the smallest of margins.

"We gave away soft tries against Clermont Auvergne and Racing Metro, and were a kick away from beating Leinster at Wembley, so there has not been a lot in it."

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Sean O'Brien, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Clint Newland, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Kevin McLaughlin, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.

Saracens: 15 Nils Mordt, 14 David Strettle, 13 Michael Tagicakibau, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Jared Saunders, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Hayden Smith, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Gavin Henson, 23 Noah Cato.