United Rugby Championship team news: Johnny Sexton captains Leinster against Sharks

Johnny Sexton will make his first start of the season for Leinster when they face the Cell C Sharks at the RDS on Saturday, live on RTÉ and RTÉ Player.

The Ireland captain, who came off the bench for the final 13 minutes of last weekend's derby win at Ulster, partners Luke McGrath at half-back as Leinster seek a fourth successive BKT United Rugby Championship victory.

Leo Cullen makes four changes to the team that started the 20-13 win in Belfast. Charlie Ngatai comes into the midfield to partner Robbie Henshaw, who shifts to outside centre, while Rob Russell replaces the injured Dave Kearney on the left wing.

The only change to the pack sees Will Connors start at openside flanker in place of Josh van der Flier.

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Charlie Ngatai, Rob Russell; Johnny Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Michael Ala’alatoa; Ross Molony, Jason Jenkins, Ryan Baird, Will Connors, Jack Conan.

Replacements: John McKee, Cian Healy, Vakhtang Abdaladze, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Cormac Foley, Ross Byrne, Garry Ringrose.

Duane Vermeulen returns for Ulster as Dan McFarland makes nine changes to his startling line-up for Saturday’s game against the Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium.

The Rugby World Cup winner starts at No 8 and is partnered in the back row by Ireland internationals Nick Timoney and Jordi Murphy, with Wallaby Sam Carter replacing Kieran Treadwell at lock.

Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew and Marty Moore are promoted to the starting team after providing front-row impact off the bench against Leinster.

Ian Madigan is preferred to Billy Burns at out-half while Craig Gilroy and Rob Lyttle are named on the wings, replacing the injured Jacob Stockdale and Aaron Sexton, who is among the