LEINSTER COACH JOE SCHMIDT has given starting places to his away-day specialists for the province’s quarter-final clash with Clermont Auvergne on Sunday.
Isaac Boss has been selected at scrum-half, ahead of Eoin Reddan, while Shane Jennings comes in at number seven.
Kevin McLaughlin is the player who drops to the bench following the promotion of Jennings.
The Leinster team has no surprises otherwise with Brian O’Driscoll joined by Gordon D’Arcy in the centre and captain Leo Cullen accompanied by Brad Thorn in the second row.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Isa Nacewa, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen (c), Brad Thorn, Sean O’Brien, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.Replacements: Sean Cronin, Heinke van der Merwe, Nathan White, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden.
The back three of Rob Kearney, Isa Nacewa and Luke Fitzgerald were in superb form in the side’s previous Heineken Cup outing against Cardiff.
Richardt Strauss holds off the challenge of Sean Cronin at hooker, Jonny Sexton retains the number 10 jersey and Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip will operate as flankers.
The starting role for Boss and is reminiscent of Joe Schmidt’s selection on Leinster’s last away encounter in France.
The former Ulster out-half started in the 16-16 draw with Montpellier.
Jennings started at number seven when the Blues beat Glasgow at Firhill in June.
Jamesie will be back to Europe next season, doesn’t look like he’ll be making their WC squad with those comments. Talented player, still young, reckon he’ll be picked up by Frn club..