Sexton named on bench as Conan and Henshaw return for Leinster

Johnny Sexton has been passed fit for tomorrow's United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Bulls at the RDS, but the Leinster captain has been named among the replacements.

Sexton missed last week's quarter-final win against Glasgow due to an ankle injury suffered in the Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle, but is the only of the injured quartet to return this week.

Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Rónan Kelleher all continue to be absent, but British and Irish Lions Jack Conan and Robbie Henshaw come into the team as the two changes for the visit of the South Africans.

Henshaw makes a straight swap with Ciarán Frawley who drops to the bench, and partners Garry Ringrose in the centre.

Conan comes in at number 8, as Caelan Doris moved back to blindside flanker, and Ryan Baird joins the replacements bench.

The rest of the matchday squad is unchanged, as Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan continue in the front row, while James Ryan captains the side from lock alongside Joe McCarthy.

Conan packs down at number 8 alongside Doris and Leinster's Player of the Year Josh van der Flier.

With Sexton on the bench, Ross Byrne starts again at out-half alongside Jamison Gibson-Park, while Jordan Larmour will hope to continue his rich form on the right wing, with Jimmy O'Brien and Rory O'Loughlin completing the side.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Rory O'Loughlin; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (capt); Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Replacements: Seán Cronin, Cian Healy, Michael Ala'alatoa, Ross Molony, Ryan Baird, Luke McGrath, Johnny Sexton, Ciarán Frawley

Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple