Ulster v Leinster: Jamie Heaslip to make 200th Leinster appearance
Last Updated: 24/04/15 7:22pm
Jamie Heaslip makes his 200th appearance for Leinster as his side takes on Ulster in the Guinness PRO12 on Friday night.
Having made his debut for the club against the Ospreys in 2005, Heaslip impressively started all but eight of the 199 appearances while also scoring 35 tries. The No 8 will also captain the side from the back of the scrum.
The record for the most appearances for Leinster with 259 is Gordon D'Arcy, who this week comes into the side to replace Ian Madigan at inside centre, with Madigan dropping to the bench.
D'Arcy is one of four changes to the Leinster team that lost to Toulon in the Champions Cup semi-final last weekend, with all four who come into the starting XV occupying the bench in the knock-out clash with the French champions.
Fergus McFadden suffered a season-ending thumb injury in the south of France and is replaced on the right wing by Zane Kirchner, who also replaced him when he left the field on Saturday.
Sean Cronin makes way for Richardt Strauss in the No 2 jersey, with the former occupying the bench in a direct switch from last week. Dominic Ryan comes off the bench to start ahead of Jordi Murphy, who will be among the replacements on Friday.
Meanwhile Ulster have made no changes to the side that beat Connacht 27-20 in Galway in their last PRO12 fixture. Coach Neil Doak has named 13 internationals in his squad as they continue their bid for a semi-final berth.
There is a personal record for the home side as Roger Wilson is named at Number 8 and thereby draws level with Paddy Wallace as Ulster’s all-time record holder for Pro12 appearances as he runs out in his 131st game in the competition.
Ulster are currently third in the Pro12 standing, 10 points ahead of Leinster who are in fifth. A win for Leinster this weekend would give them a chance to qualify for the semi-finals as Ulster go on to face Munster and Glasgow - ranked first and second - in the final two rounds of competition.
Ospreys, who are in fourth place, play Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues this weekend then face Glasgow and Connacht. With just three rounds remaining, these final game will ensure changes in the top four leading up to May.
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Darren Cave, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar; 1 Callum Black, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 4 Dan Tuohy, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 6 Iain Henderson, 7 Chris Henry, 8 Roger Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Clive Ross, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Stuart McCloskey.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Zane Kirchner, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Isaac Boss; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Dominic Ryan, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c).
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Ben Marshall, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Darragh Fanning.
