Leinster v Ulster: Teams

Leinster have named a strong line-up for their Magners League derby against Ulster on Saturday.

Experienced internationals Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip are all included.

Shaun Berne continues in the number 10 shirt in the absence of the injured Jonathan Sexton.

Ulster coach Brain McLaughlin believes the match against Leinster will provide his side with a "smashing opportunity".

Ulster followed up their win over Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup with defeat in the return match in Paris.

And McLaughlin feels taking on the defending kings of Europe will give his side the chance to build on their performance in France.

McLaughlin said: "Leinster at the RDS, the European champions, it's a smashing opportunity for us to learn from the things we didn't do well at the weekend and to try, and improve on them.

"They will test us, but we have to go there with a positive mind frame and know that if we turn up on the day, we are also a strong, competent side.

"That is what professional rugby is all about, you've got to look at what you did well and what you did poorly, and you've got to improve week by week.

"We played some good rugby in Paris, but until we get that consistency away from home, we've just got to keep plugging away until we get it going.

"We know that Leinster will be ready for us, especially after we gained the home victory over them last time we met."

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Leo Cullen (c), 3 Stan Wright, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Nathan Hines, 19 Stephen Keogh, 20 Paul O'Donohoe, 21 Fergus McFadden, 22 Girvan Dempsey.

Ulster: 15 Jamie Smith, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Simon Danelli, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Chris Henry (c), 7 TJ Anderson, 6 David Pollock, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Bryan Young.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Ryan Caldwell, 19 Willie Faloon, 20 Cillian Willis, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Jonny Shiells.