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Rugby

13th Nov 2015

Leinster and Munster recall big names for European Champions Cup openers

Johnny's back at the RDS

Kevin McGillicuddy

Leo Cullen and Anthony Foley have both recalled their big names for this weekend’s Champions Cup clashes.

Leo Cullen is about to get his first taste of European action as Leinster head coach when his side hosts Wasps on Sunday afternoon at the RDS.

Johnny Sexton is among nine changes to Leinster’s starting XV from last week’s game against Scarlets, and Sunday’s game will be the first time the Dubliner will have played at the RDS since the PRO12 final of 2013 ahead of his departure to Racing Metro.

The outhalf will play with Noel Reid and Fergus McFadden as his new centre partnership, while Isa Nacewa starts at full-back.

Eoin Reddan starts at scrum-half, while Mike Ross retains his place up front, as Cullen introduces Jack McGrath and Richardt Strauss into the pack.

Mike McCarthy will be the second Leinster player to line out against his former side (as well as Eoin Reddan) as he takes on the second row duties with Devin Toner, while the back row is Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Jordi Murphy.

leinster

Munster have shuffled their pack for the weekend’s encounter with Treviso, with Anthony Foley making five changes to his side from the team that started the win over Edinburgh.

Keith Earls and Simon Zebo are moved to the wing, while Andrew Conway starts the game at full-back.

The front-row sees BJ Botha and Mike Sherry return to playing action alongside Dave Kilcoyne, with Sherry remarkably playing his first European game in almost two years.

The backrow sees Jack O’Donoghue make his European debut at 7, where he’ll be guided by Dave O’Callaghan and captain CJ Stander.

Midfield is made up of Denis Hurley and Frances Saili, while Munster fans should be excited to hear that Argentine Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino is on the replacements bench.

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