Grand Slam stars on show as Leinster face Ulster in Champions Cup at sold out Aviva

Leinster have named a Grand Slam-heavy selection to face Ulster in Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup clash at the Aviva Stadium.

The Donnybrook-based side have named 13 of Ireland's Six Nations-winning stars in their starting selection, yet they must take on their provincial rivals without a few key players for the sold out Lansdowne Road encounter.

Johnny Sexton, of course, is missing from the squad, as the Ireland captain looks set to miss the remainder of the season, while Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose are also absent from the matchday panel for the visit of Ulster.

Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and James Lowe named on the wings.

Jimmy O'Brien and Robbie Henshaw form the centre partnership for the first time, while Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park complete the back line.

Tadhg Furlong makes his first European appearance of the season.

He is joined in the front row by Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan. Ryan is partnered in the second row by Ross Molony.

This season’s leading Champions Cup try scorer Josh van der Flier is in the back-row alongside Ryan Baird and Jack Conan.

On the bench, hooker John McKee is in line to make his European debut.

Dan McFarland's Ulster travel to Dublin in search of a place in the quarter-finals of this year's competition, and also welcome back their international contingent following the conclusion of the Six Nations.

Iain Henderson is ruled out of the game as he recovers from a forearm fracture and as a result, lock Alan O’Connor captains the side.

Joining him in the second row is Grand Slam-winner Kieran Treadwell, who made his return to the Ulster squad in last weekend’s home win against the Vodacom Bulls.

Dave McCann starts at blindside flanker and is joined in the back row