IAN MADIGAN WILL start for Leinster in their Heineken Cup, opening round clash with Exeter Chiefs at the RDS on Saturday afternoon.

Madigan starts at full-back in place of Rob Kearney, who reported some soreness despite training well on Thursday. Both Kearney and Gordon D’Arcy are expected to be fit for the trip to Llanelli next weekend.

Fergus McFadden partners Brian O’Driscoll at centre, while Isa Nacewa makes his 33rd Heineken Cup appearance on the left wing.

Damian Browne partners captain Leo Cullen at second row, while Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings and number eight Jamie Heaslip make up the back row.

Cian Healy will make his 100th appearance for the province at loose-head prop.

On the bench, Isaac Boss has recovered from the injury he sustained on the opening weekend of the league campaign and joins fellow replacements Sean Cronin and Devin Toner.

Leinster team v Exeter Chiefs: Ian Madigan; Andrew Conway, Brian O’Driscoll, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Leo Cullen, Damian Browne; Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Heinke van der Merwe, Jamie Hagan, Devin Toner, Leo Auva’a, Jordi Murphy, Isaac Boss, Fionn Carr.

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