Cian Healy will play his 100th game in Leinster colours on Saturday as the champions begin the defence of their crown against Exeter at the RDS.
The 25-year-old prop will start in the front-row alongside Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross while skipper Leo Cullen partners Damian Browne - who will play his 25th Leinster game - at lock.
Kevin McLaughlin continues in the back-row alongside Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip.
The backline is unchanged from the one which started last weekend's victory over Munster with Fergus McFadden partnering Brian O'Driscoll at centre and Isa Nacewa on the left wing making his 33rd Heineken Cup appearance.
Rob Kearney trained well on Thursday but pulled up sore afterwards, as a result Ian Madigan continues at full-back for his second Heineken Cup start. Both Kearney and Gordon D'Arcy are expected to be available for selection for the Round 2 trip to Llanelli next weekend.
Meanwhile, scrum-half Isaac Boss has recovered from the injury he sustained on the opening weekend of the league campaign and takes his place amongst the replacements alongside fellow Ireland internationals Sean Cronin and Devin Toner.
Exeter teams news see coach Rob Baxter unsurprisingly stick with virtually the same side that saw off Harlequins at Sandy Park.
The two changes come in the pack where Irishman and skipper Tom Hayes returns in place of Dean Mumm, whilst James Scaysbrook is also back at openside flanker in place of the injured Ben White.
On the bench, Chris Whitehead - another who missed out last week - returns at the expense of Neil Clark; whilst Aussie international Dean Mumm remains within the squad as an option both in the second and back-row.
The teams:
Leinster: 15 Ian Madigan, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Damian Browne, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Leo Auva'a, 21 Jordi Murphy, 22 Isaac Boss, 23 Fionn Carr.
Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Phil Dollman, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes, 3 Carl Rimmer, 2 Simon Alcott, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Chris Whitehead, 17 Chris Budgen, 18 Ben Moon, 19 Ally Muldowney, 20 Dean Mumm, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Sireli Naqelevuki.
Date: Saturday, October 13
Kick-off: 15:40 BST
Venue: RDS
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant referees: Jean-Luc Rebollal (France), Cyril Lafon (France)
Television match official: Daniel Irazoqui (France)
Timekeeper: Andrew Baird (Ireland)
Assessor: Clayton Thomas (Wales)
Citing commissioner: Ray Wilton (Wales)
Comments
Norm says...
Really looking forward to this match. Hard to contemplate anything other than a Leinster victory here, but there are some wonderful things happening down at Sandy Park and first round ambushes are not uncommon. Exeter wil be eyeing up a few big scalps in Europe this year, it is about believe for them, still cannot see them taking this one.
Shaky Leinster start but suspect that will be long forgotten by pub time tonight and their class will be shown again. Will be most amazed however if this does not turn out to be one of the games of the weekend
Posted 10:48 13th October 2012
damo says...
damo says...
We need a pro 7s team can PR run an article on how Ireland is the only country in the world almost without this and has tonns of young talent not being improved through htis means, also to confirm Darcy playing for Ireland is a joke on any form in the past 3 years, I can speak of 4 or 5 games his missed tackles or constant knock ons cost us or the fact his opponents manage 30+ tries in far less caps in their career - even Keith Wood scored more tries than him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7s team first second Kidney needs to cop the F on to himself and pick players on form and talent - use some of his sports scientists to tell him Tiernan Ohalloran is far better then Duffy for Connaught why is Duffy in any Irish squad? Sorry Gavin and Gordon but its true, for us to win we pick the best players and so far Kidney hasn't done this!!!!!!!!
Come on Ireland we could win World Cups if we got our act together!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Connaught to prove a few shocks in this years HC !!!
Jimmy mcnicoll of Canterbury in ITM cup is worlds best 15 Ireland need to contract him now and he can play for Munster (desperately need a 15) this lad is class !!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 23:34 12th October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
This is one of the most exciting games of the first round. Exeter can beat any of the top Aviva clubs on their day. Can they up a gear again? I think it's a bit more than other clubs not taking them seriously. Time will tell but I think they're becoming a top English club and could start to make a name in Europe. Perhaps it's asking too much in the first season in that pool but... I'm excited.
Posted 15:16 12th October 2012
papachinzo says...
Should be an easy enough match, hopefully Leinster can carry on from last weeks form. Leinster by 20.
I'd like to see Leinster pair O'Driscoll with Madigan in the Centre, move McFadden to the wing, and Nacewa to fullback. I'd think they'd have more success...
Posted 14:59 12th October 2012
TVaddict says...
Hard to not see a Leinster victory, though Exeter have a habit of beating teams that don't take them seriously. I'm actually really looking forward to this match as Exeter have nothing to lose.
Posted 13:40 12th October 2012
johnstcj says...
Happy with the team selection, but I'd put Isa at full-back and Mads on the wing.
Either way, looking forward to another great day in the RDS.
Oh, and congrats to Church on his 100th cap.
Posted 13:39 12th October 2012
leinster_goy says...
manys a time i've seen Leinster put in a lacklustre performance in the celtic league, then a week later in the HEC, they play like a different team, intensity and skill upped by 100% and no-one can deal with them. i very much hope this trend continues tomorrow
great to have Shaft back in the 22. Leinster are blessed to have such a competent 9 to replace Redders. Coons is still very undercooked at this stage
Posted 13:04 12th October 2012