Dan Sheehan to Captain Leinster against Sale Sharks

Dan Sheehan is set to captain the team, while Alex Usanov is due to make his first European start after a debut off the bench last week against Edinburgh. 

James Ryan returns from injury to cover the second row alongside Joe McCarthy. 

Jack Conan takes over at 8 with Ryan Baird at blindside flanker and Josh van der Flier at openside. 

Alex Usanov and Tadhg Furlong will scrum down either side of Dan Sheehan. 

Hugo Keenan continues at fullback, Rieko Ioane moving to the wing with Tommy O'Brien on the opposite side. 

Jamie Osborne continues at 12 with Garry Ringrose returning from injury to join him at centre. Jamison Gibson-Park and Harry Byrne are named as the half-backs. 

Rónan Kelleher alongside Jerry Cahir and Thomas Clarkson are the front row cover while Max Deegan and Scott Penny complete the forward reinforcements. 

Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, and Robbie Henshaw complete the matchday 23. 

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (78) 
14. Tommy O'Brien (57) 
13. Garry Ringrose (144) 
12. Jamie Osborne (69) 
11. Rieko Ioane (10) 
10. Harry Byrne (86) 
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (166) 

1. Alex Usanov (5) 
2. Dan Sheehan (82) CAPTAIN
3. Tadhg Furlong (162) 
4. Joe McCarthy (59) 
5. James Ryan (104) 
6. Ryan Baird (89) 
7. Josh van der Flier (168) 
8. Jack Conan (173)

Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (88) 
17. Jerry Cahir (10) 
18. Thomas Clarkson (71) 
19. Max Deegan (153) 
20. Scott Penny (100) 
21. Luke McGrath (250) 
22. Ciarán Frawley (117) 
23. Robbie Henshaw (116) 

Referee: Pierre Brousset (RFU).