Sport

Sexton to make first Leinster start in three months

Sexton to make first Leinster start in three months

Leinster coach Leo Cullen has made three changes to the side that beat Montpellier 89-7 last week for the Blues' final Champions Cup pool game against Bath tomorrow (1pm).

The biggest sees captain Johnny Sexton return to the fold for the first since their win over Scarlets in mid-October, in which he injured his hip.

The out-half is the most experienced man in the start XV, set to make his 178th appearance for the province, but there is plenty of experience elsewhere.

On the opposite end of the Leinster spectrum is tighthead prop Michael Ala'alatoa, making just his ninth appearance in replacing Wexford's Tadgh Furlong.

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While the other change sees Robbie Henshaw come into the center to partner Garry Ringrose.

Cullen has chosen the same back three from last week's 89-7 win over Montpellier at the RDS with Hugo Keenan in the number 15 jersey flanked by Jordan Larmour and Jimmy O'Brien.

Hooker Rónan Kelleher and loosehead Andrew Porter make up the front three.

Packing down behind them is the same duo of Ross Molony and Josh Murphy while the back row also remains unchanged, the trio of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.

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On the bench, there's a potential European debut for Vakh Abdaladze should he enter the fray.

He's joined in reserve by Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne and Ciarán Frawley.

The Blues face Bath in the Rec, having already secured their place in the knockout stages of the competition, however a win tomorrow could secure a home draw in the Round of 16.

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