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Kearney, Madigan, Fitzgerald all start as Leinster make 10 changes for Quins

Strong Leinster side boosted by returning Irish internationals.

LEINSTER HAVE BEEN boosted by the return of a number of injured stars for their pool-topping trip to Harlequins.

Rob Kearney, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald and Mike McCarthy have all overcome fitness concerns and will start Sundayโ€™s sold-out Champions Cup clash.

Coach Matt Oโ€™Connor makes 10 changes in total to the side which beat the Ospreys with a handful of Irish internationals also ready for action following the November Series.

Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross make up an imposing front row while Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock and Jamie Heaslip also start.

Eoin Reddan and Jimmy Gopperth are retained in the half-backs which means another start in the centre for Ian Madigan, who has shaken off a minor ankle injury.

Gordon Dโ€™Arcy starts outside him in place of Fergus McFadden who is expected to miss up to six weeks with a thumb injury.

England captain Chris Robshaw will make his 200th senior appearance for Quins who also welcome back Mike Brown, Marland Yarde and captain Joe Marler from international duty.

Kick-off at the Stoop is at 3.15pm on Sunday. The game is live on BT Sport.

Harlequins

15. Mike Brown
14. Marland Yarde
13. Matt Hopper
12. George Lowe
11. Aseli Tikoirotuma
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care
1. Joe Marler (c)
2. Dave Ward
3. Will Collier
4. Charlie Matthews
5. George Robson
6. Luke Wallace
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Nick Easter

Replacements:

16. Joe Gray
17. Mark Lambert
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Sam Twomey
20. Jack Clifford
21. Karl Dickson
22. Tim Swiel
23. Tom Casson

Leinster

15. Rob Kearney
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Gordon Dโ€™Arcy
12. Ian Madigan
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip (c)

Replacements:

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Michael Bent
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Kane Douglas
20. Jack Conan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Noel Reid
23. Zane Kirchner

Leinster coach Oโ€™Connor: โ€˜Winning ugly, winning pretty, is irrelevant to usโ€™

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15 Comments
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    Mute ChocSaltyBallz
    Favourite ChocSaltyBallz
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    Nov 11th 2015, 11:22 PM

    He needs Cyrus Christy with him that man can clear it

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    Mute Peter Conroy
    Favourite Peter Conroy
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    Nov 11th 2015, 11:06 PM

    Randolph is an unmerciful pillock. Westwood must be egging Oโ€™Neillโ€™s gaff or letting the air out of his tyres or something like that. How is he not getting a go?

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    Mute N O hUallaigh
    Favourite N O hUallaigh
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    Nov 11th 2015, 11:13 PM

    He got a go, not up to international standard, thought he left in some soft goals against the Germans

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    Mute Eoghan O'Neill
    Favourite Eoghan O'Neill
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    Nov 11th 2015, 11:17 PM

    Randolph is not a โ€˜pillockโ€™. He has proven himself as a top keeper. I suspect you are a troll looking for attention.

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    Mute Dave Hannon
    Favourite Dave Hannon
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    Nov 12th 2015, 11:31 PM

    Westwood is way down the pecking order. He was the Sunderland goalie under MON and completely blew it! Let 6 in at home against Germany โ€“ neither he nor Darren O Dea gave played since. They were both mikes off the pace. Forde played brilliantly in the interim, but if Randolph can get plenty of game time at West Ham he could hold this position for a few years.

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