Ulster v Leinster: Guinness PRO12 preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 30/04/16 7:11pm
Johnny Sexton returns to the Leinster team for Saturday's crucial Guinness PRO12 derby with Ulster, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
The Ireland fly-half missed the bonus-point win over Edinburgh on April 15 but is restored to the starting line-up for the trip to the Kingspan Stadium as Leinster seek a seventh win in eight games against Ulster.
Head coach Leo Cullen makes nine changes with Garry Ringrose resuming his centre partnership with Ben Te'o and Dave Kearney replacing the suspended Fergus McFadden on the wing.
Fellow Ireland internationals Jack McGrath and Jamie Heaslip also return, the former replacing the injured Cian Healy, while Devin Toner and Hayden Triggs come into the second row.
Ulster need a win to stay in contention for the play-offs and they welcome back Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey from a shoulder injury.
McCloskey partners Paul Marshall in midfield while Andrew Trimble comes in for the injured Tommy Bowe. Chris Henry's inclusion at openside flanker sees Sean Reidy switch to No 8.
Jared Payne continues at full-back after scoring a hat-trick in Ulster's victory over Zebre in round 20. Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson form the half-back partnership for the sixth successive game.
"With just two games to go and everything at stake for a lot of teams, you can't afford mishaps and we've got to make sure we just do the job this weekend," Ulster head coach Neil Doak told the Belfast Telegraph.
"They're a good side and we've had opportunities against them [in the past] but just haven't been clinical. Clinical is the answer and small opportunities just have to be taken."
Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar; 1 Callum Black, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Ricky Lutton, 4 Pete Browne, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Iain Henderson, 7 Chris Henry, 8 Sean Reidy.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 Andy Warwick, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Stuart Olding, 23 Darren Cave.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Isa Nacewa (c), 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Ben Te'o, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Luke McGrath; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Hayden Triggs, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Mike Ross, 19 Mick Kearney, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.
Watch Ulster v Leinster live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2.50pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.