JOHNNY SEXTON IS back in the Leinster team for tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against Harlequins at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 7pm). 

The Ireland out-half will captain a side that contains a mixture of youth and experience in his first appearance since suffering a head injury in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final away to Exeter five months ago. 

Max Deegan returns after a long-term knee injury that has kept the number eight out for nearly a year, while Conor O’Brien (centre) and James Lowe (wing) also start after recovering from injuries. 

Leo Cullen’s squad includes eight academy players, four of whom — Chris Cosgrave, Rob Russell, Brian Deeny and Niall Comerford — are in line to make their senior Leinster debuts. 

Samoan international Michael Ala’alatoa will also line out for the province for the first time since his summer arrival from Crusaders. 

Leinster team v Harlequins:

15. Chris Cosgrave 
14. Rob Russell 
13. Jamie Osborne 
12. Conor O’Brien 
11. James Lowe 
10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
9. Luke McGrath 

1. Peter Dooley 
2. Dan Sheehan 
3. Michael Ala’alatoa 
4. Devin Toner 
5. Brian Deeny 
6. Rhys Ruddock 
7. Scott Penny 
8. Max Deegan 

Replacements:

Cian Healy
Seán Cronin 
James Tracy 
Vakh Abdaladze 
Ross Molony
Ryan Baird
Martin Moloney
Cormac Foley
Ross Byrne
David Hawkshaw
Liam Turner 
Niall Comerford 

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