LUKE FITZGERALD IS set for his first Leinster start in almost seven months this weekend.

The injury-plagued Fitzgerald is named as one of three changes for Sunday’s European Champions Cup trip to Castres.

The 27-year-old has not started a first-team game since 29 March when Leinster beat Munster in the Aviva Stadium.

His return on the left wing sees a reshuffle throughout the back line with Zane Kirchner moving to full-back and Ian Madigan slotting in at inside centre alongside Gordon D’Arcy.

Coach Matt O’Connor is again without the injured Mike Ross (groin) and Rob Kearney (back) who missed out on the win against Wasps last weekend.

Isaac Boss gets the nod over Eoin Reddan at scrum-half while there is one change in the pack where Kane Douglas starts alongside Devin Toner with Mike McCarthy dropping to the bench.

Castres v Leinster

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Gordon D’Arcy
12. Ian Madigan
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Isaac Boss

1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Michael Bent
4. Devin Toner
5. Kane Douglas
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jamie Heaslip (c)

Replacements:

16. Richardt Strauss
17. Ed Byrne
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Mike McCarthy
20. Jack Conan
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Noel Reid
23. Mick McGrath

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