Johnny Sexton returns for Leinster’s trip to Ulster

Johnny Sexton returns to the Leinster side for Saturday's inter-provincial clash with Ulster.

Sexton’s last appearance saw him score 16 points to guide his side to victory over Munster at the Aviva Stadium on April 2nd.

In total Leo Cullen has made nine changes to the starting line-up which beat Edinburgh last time out as Leinster look to secure a home semi-final in the Pro 12 play-offs.

Sexton will be marshalling a powerful backline at Ravenhill, with Ben Te'o partnering Garry Ringrose in midfield and Rob Kearney joining brother Dave, who makes his 100th Leinster appearance, and captain Isa Nacewa in the back three.

Jamie Heaslip also returns to the fold at number eight and starts alongside Rhys Ruddock and Josh van der Flier in the backrow, while Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong replace Cian Healy and Mike Ross in the frontrow.

Leinster have a quality bench to call on, with Jordi Murphy, Ian Madigan and Luke Fitzgerald all among the replacements.

Meanwhile Les Kiss has made just three changes to his side for Saturday's fixture, but welcomes three Ireland internationals back into the starting Ulster XV.

A win would prove a massive boost for Ulster’s chances of finishing in the Pro 12 top four, with a tricky trip to Swansea to play the Ospreys in their final league game.

With Tommy Bowe suffering a flare up of the knee injury which kept him out since the World Cup Andrew Trimble returns on the right wing with Jared Payne at fullback and Craig Gilroy on the left.

McCloskey resumes his midfield partnership with Luke Marshall while Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar remain at halfback.

In the forwards there is just the single change, with Chris Henry coming into the backrow alongside Sean Reidy and Iain Henderson.

Again, Kiss has a strong bench to turn to with Paul Marshall, Stuart Olding and Darren Cave all named as replacements.

Ulster: J Payne; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar, C Black, R Best, R Lutton, P Browne, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, S Reidy. Replacements: R Herring, K McCall, A Warwick, R Diack, R Wilson, P Marshall, S Olding, D Cave.

Leinster: Rob Kearney, Isa Nacewa, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Dave Kearney, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath, Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Hayden Triggs, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Peter Dooley, Mike Ross, Mick Kearney, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald.