Leinster likely to make backline changes for Champions Cup clash

Leinster are set to rejig their midfield for Saturday night's European Champions Cup game at home to Harlequins, with Luke Fitzgerald likely to start at outside centre alongside Ian Madigan, as Gordon D'Arcy is struggling with the calf strain which forced his departure in the 55th minute of last Sunday's defeat at the Stoop.

One of the few positives to emerge from the encounter from a Leinster perspective, was the performance of Fitzgerald, who looked relatively sharp and fit on the left wing considering it was only his third appearance since March and first since October.

That was the shape of the backline after Zane Kirchner replaced D’Arcy, with the South African playing on the right wing as Darragh Fanning switched flanks and Fitzgerald moved to outside centre. Indeed, Leinster’s backline could start Saturday’s match as it finished last Sunday’s, with Isaac Boss also in line to start ahead of Eoin Reddan.

Up front, the expectation is that Dominic Ryan, who was ruled out of last Sunday's game due to a shoulder injury, will be recalled at the expense of Jordi Murphy.