Battle of the provinces.

Leinster boss Leo Cullen is able to recall a number of players from injury for their Round 7 clash with Ulster on Saturday, including British & Irish Lions duo Rob Kearney and Seán O’Brien.

Kearney comes into the number 15 jersey with Adam Byrne on the right wing and Dave Kearney on the left. There is also a return from injury for Rory O’Loughlin who joins fellow St. Michael’s past pupil Noel Reid in the centre.

In the back row Dan Leavy starts his first game back from injury, while Jordi Murphy also comes back into the side at openside flanker. Finally Seán O’Brien is back from a calf injury to captain the side from the base of the scrum.

Leinster team to play Ulster (Leinster caps in brackets):

1. Jack McGrath (117)
2. James Tracy (49)
3. Tadhg Furlong (71)
4. Devin Toner (204)
5. James Ryan (4)
6. Dan Leavy (42)
7. Jordi Murphy (91)
8. Seán O’Brien (111) CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (35)
10. Ross Byrne (31)
11. Dave Kearney (115)
12. Noel Reid (87)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (27)
14. Adam Byrne (29)
15. Rob Kearney (187)

Replacements
16. Richardt Strauss (147)
17. Cian Healy (179)
18. Andrew Porter (13)
19. Ross Molony (50)
20. Jack Conan (58)
21. Luke McGrath (81)
22. Cathal Marsh (22)
23. Jordan Larmour (4)

Meanwhile Rory Best will become just the fourth Ulster player to reach 200 caps, as he is named in their starting XV for the highly anticipated clash. The game will be Best’s first start of the season, following his return from injury as a replacement against La Rochelle last Sunday.

Iain Henderson will continue to captain the side, as he shifts from flanker to lock, with Alan O’Connor retaining his place in the second row. Jean Deysel, who missed last week’s Champions Cup outing due to injury, returns at number 8, with flankers Sean Reidy and Chris Henry selected as the other loose forwards.

Ulster Rugby team to play Leinster

1. Callum Black
2. Rory Best
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Alan O’Connor
5. Iain Henderson (Capt)
6. Sean Reidy
7. Chris Henry
8. Jean Deysel;
9. Aaron Cairns
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Luke Marshall
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Charles Piutau.

Replacements
16. Rob Herring
17. Andy Warwick
18. Ross Kane
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Robbie Diack
21. Jonny Stewart
22. Peter Nelson
23. Louis Ludik.