Jonathan Sexton rolled his ankle in the first half and will be further monitored this week. The Ireland outside-half completed the game with his first half penalty taking him past the 700 career point mark (Sexton’s tally now stands at 702 points in 85 games) and at this point it appears likely that he will be available.

The Leinster management are also hopeful that Luke Fitzgerald, who missed the victory in Glasgow with a combination of a glute/minor neck strain, will also be in the frame. There is a further boost for the province with the expected return from injury of forwards Kevin McLaughlin (neck), Richardt Strauss (facial) and Steven Sykes (hamstring) who should all be in the selection mix this week.

Moynalvey second row Devin Toner has now featured in 17 games in both competitions for the province so far this season – one ahead of Eoin O’Malley and Heinke van der Merwe – while the next Heineken Cup appearances for Jamie Heaslip and Eoin Reddan (which includes 25 for Wasps and 2 for Munster) will be their 50threspectively in Europe.

Saturday’s visit of the French side is an 18,500 sell out and tickets will not be on sale on the day. Supporters are advised to arrive early as there are a number of other events around the RDS on the day, with gates open at 12 noon.

Meanwhile, it’s a busy weekend for the province with Leinster ‘A’ set to face Pontypridd in Donnybrook on Sunday in the quarter finals of the British & Irish Cup (KO: 2pm). There will be free entry for Leinster season ticket holders and children, with the team also expected to be announced on Friday lunchtime.

Jonathan featured in 6 games during this period, including all 4 Heineken Cup games, that the team has played so far, and an interprovincial clash with Munster. Jonathan amassed an impressive three Man of the Match performances over that period.

Against defending League champions Munster and in front of a crowd of 48,000 Sexton steered over 7 penalties to ensure Leinster won a captivating tie back in November. There were other memorable kicking feats during this time with perhaps the highlight being the injury-time penalty against Montpellier, salvaging a draw away from home.

Sexton would score all of Leinster’s points in his Man of the Match performance at the Recreation Grounds against Bath in December. In the return fixture in the Aviva Stadium Sexton again proved key running the line with efficiency and purpose, scoring a try, six conversions and one drop goal.

Commenting on the award, Jonathan Sexton said: “We had a lot of tough games over the period and what’s been great about it, is obviously the results, also the amount of players we’ve used over that amount of games. Anyone that has got a chance to play has done really well and its given Joe (Schmidt) plenty of options going forward.
“The first two (Heineken Cup) games put us in a decent position, saving the draw away to Montpellier, was I suppose crucial; it meant that winning at home against Glasgow put us in a good position. Bath away wasn’t our best performance…we created a lot of chances and for whatever reason we just didn’t take them. But we fixed that at training during the week and we were much more clinical in the home game. It’s a different story if you take a couple of early chances, it forces the other team to chase the game a little bit and it creates even more opportunities for ourselves.
“Ian (Madigan) has come in and improved no end from last year. I suppose with the signing of Mat Berquist in the summer it would have been very easy for him to go into his shell, but he reacted totally the opposite to that and really upped his performance, his work rate in training, everything. He’s been a great role model to the other younger lads with his attitude and work-rate. So we’ve got a lot of young lads coming through and it’s important that they just keep trying to improve. I think that’s key for them and you know if they can do that Leinster Rugby will benefit in the long term.
“We all have really fond memories of the RDS and its definitely our home. Even though we’ve played a lot of big games at the Aviva, we definitely regard the RDS as our home and we want to keep our record there really strong and hopefully against Montpellier at the weekend we can do that.

“I would like to thank Bank of Ireland for their sponsorship of this award, but most of all to the Leinster supporters who voted for me, I am hugely honoured by their backing.”

Winning the monthly award puts Jonathan in contention for the Bank of Ireland Player of the Year award which is announced at the Annual Leinster Awards Ball. Thank you to everyone who voted this time and congratulations to Jonathan.

Leinster supporters can now vote for the January Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Player of the Month.

Following Sunday’s 15-13 victory over Connacht, the medical team reported that Richardt Strauss suffered an accidental blow to the face, though at this point he has not been ruled out of contention, with the team set to be announced on Friday lunchtime.

Aside from a number of niggles after the weekend’s arduous test there are no other major injury concerns as the squad shape up for the second match in a block of three successive away games.

Kevin McLaughlin, who was rested for the win in Galway, looks set to return to the squad alongside the likes of Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross and Jonathan Sexton.

Steven Sykes (knee) hasn’t been ruled out of contention and he too could make the trip to the Welsh capital.

Meanwhile, Isa Nacewa’s 100 percent 15-point haul took his overall season points tally to 87 in 13 games to date.

Ulster has achieved that. A very raw and young Ulster side won plaudits for fronting up at Leinster and keeping them into sight until, with less than twenty minutes to go, a flurry of late tries putting the expected gloss on the scoreline. Then the big guns followed that up by achieving an emphatic bonus point win over Munster by the 56^th minute, at which point they spent the rest of the match in cruise control. Things worked out as well as can be hoped for. That would seem to be the vindication of Ulster’s selection policy but I feel sure that for some it isn’t. I am possibly the wrong person to address these concerns, believing as I did that it was the correct decision from the beginning. However, I didn’t think that because I saw no merits to the various arguments of pride, player welfare and justice towards the travelling support; rather, I thought the schedule so uncompromising and Ulster’s league position so tenuous that they overrode those. The emphatic victory at least excuses McLaughlin from charges of incompetence. The performance of Ulster’s youngsters certainly showed they were ready for a sniff of a higher level, particularly in the case of Chris Farrell, who backed up a solid outing against Leinster with an exciting cameo against Munster. It would have been fairer to give them a sniff of victory by putting in more experienced players (although given the mistakes of Diack and Marshall, maybe it wouldn’t have), particularly considering how close Ulster looked at one point. We will never know the addition of some quality on the bench would have altered that match but as long as the players are physically ready, I am happy that their welfare is being looked after. Their chance for Ulster victories will come – it already has for Farrell, Birch and Nelson – and I think all would have rather played than not. McLaughin didn’t have to wait for Munster’s game to be justified in exposing those players to professional rugby and top class opposition – the players themselves justified it.

Whether the victory vindicated the Leinster decision for those who were set to travel or those disappointed b y the write-off is for those to decide. However, I do think that even for them there is a consolation in that the young Ulster side was a step towards developing the strength needed for an Ulster side to go anywhere with a hope of victory. Ulster have now blooded in the last couple of years 11 players aged 20 or under. Three of them have already played Heineken Cup rugby. If Ulster is to develop themselves into a force equal to their Irish neighbours, then that is the level of youth development needed to close the gap. It is difficult to overstate the value of passing tests against D’Arcy and Mafi for someone like Chris Farrell, who can take that confidence with him the next time he steps onto the pitch against a like player, and use his hunger for another taste of the big time to drive him in on training.

This argument can however be turned against Stefan Terblanche, whose signing has sparked a few questions, particularly as he hasn’t replaced Jared Payne directly. It’s also re-sparked complaints about the prominence of Ulster’s foreign contingent, who are of a far higher quality (and presumably expense) than any other Irish province, and who generally keep Ulster’s number of IQ starters lower than elsewhere. The argument runs that while the foreigners have made Ulster more successful (this argument normally omits the input of other players into the result), the success is not worth the missed gametime for Irish prospects. What the criticism misses is that success is the most crucial development tool of all. It breeds confidence and belief. It provides a close-up example for youngsters to emulate and puts them in an environment that allows them to express themselves. It provides strength that allows for the accommodation of inexperienced talents on a more regular basis and on a very prosaic level, more money for youth coaches. Terblanche may end up unneeded, but by being the squad’s second experienced full-back choice, he gives them the best possible chance of success. It is in fact a no-lose situation and if he plays any part in a hoped-for victory over Leicester, it will have paid off. Qualifying for a European semi-final two years on the trot would be another step forwards for Ulster, the sort of step that gives Ulster’s young talent another chance to test themselves on the big stage. Which is another step towards the young talent becoming the young players who can have Ulster competing for – and hopefully winning – silverware.

Should that victory come soon, then most Ulster fans will consider the price paid to develop it very cheap indeed.

There are a few changes to the team that defeated Bath last weekend with Eoin Reddan (fresh from winning his 50th Leinster cap in The Rec last Sunday) partnering Jonathan Sexton at half back and Shane Jennings coming into the back row alongside fellow Ireland internationals Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip. Devin Toner partners another Ireland international, skipper Leo Cullen, at second row.

Luke Fitzgerald continues in the back three alongside Rob Kearney and Isa Nacewa. Meanwhile, Eoin O’Malley (who will make his 40th Leinster appearance on Saturday) forms a centre partnership with Fergus McFadden for the first time in the Heineken Cup.

Gordon D’Arcy, limited by a minor niggle in training earlier this week, will provide extra firepower from a replacements bench which includes six Ireland internationals.

With over 46,000 tickets now sold, Saturday evening’s game will be played in front of the second largest crowd for a Pool match in the history of the Heineken Cup, surpassing the attendance figure (45,892) at Saracens v Leinster in Wembley Stadium last season.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Eoin O’Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Sean O’Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Nathan White
19: Kevin McLaughlin
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Gordon D’Arcy

REFEREE: Romain Poite (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Patrick Péchambert, Eric Soulan (both FFR), 4th OFFICIAL: Kevin Beggs (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Dermot Blake (IRFU), TMO: Daniel Gillet (FFR)

There are several changes to the side that defeated Glasgow Warriors in the previous round with Fergus McFadden named at outside centre alongside Gordon D’Arcy.

Up front, Damian Browne makes his second start in the Heineken Cup this term and the Galway man will partner skipper Leo Cullen at second row, with Richardt Strauss named in the front row alongside Heinke van der Merwe and Mike Ross.

Kevin McLaughlin joins fellow Ireland internationals Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien in the back row.

Isaac Boss, Gordon D’Arcy and Rob Kearney – who were all try-scorers in the 38-13 victory over Glasgow in the RDS last month – are also selected in the starting side.

Meanwhile Ireland internationals Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan and Devin Toner are named on a strong looking bench.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O’Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Eoin O’Malley

REFEREE: Jerome Garces (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Patrick Péchambert, Franck Maciello (both FFR), TMO: Jean Claude Levrier (FFR)

Eoin Reddan makes his first start of the season and partners Jonathan Sexton (making his 80th Leinster appearance) at half back in a backline which shows two changes from the one which started the opening round 16-16 draw in Montpellier last weekend.

With Fergus McFadden ruled out with a dead leg, Eoin O’Malley comes in for his third Heineken Cup appearance (and 36th Leinster cap in total) and the 23-year-old partners Wexford’s Gordon D’Arcy at centre. Luke Fitzgerald continues in the back three alongside Rob Kearney and Isa Nacewa.

Sean Cronin makes his first Heineken Cup start after an impressive try-scoring display last weekend and he starts in the front row beside fellow Ireland international Mike Ross and Heinke van der Merwe. Leo Cullen partners Bank of Ireland Player of the Month Devin Toner at centre with Kevin McLaughlin continuing alongside Sean O’Brien and number eight Jamie Heaslip in the back row.

In all there are five Ireland internationals on the bench including the fit again Cian Healy.

With over 17,250 tickets already for Sunday’s lunchtime kick off, supporters are reminded that although tickets are selling fast, there are still some available from www.leinsterrugby.ie, the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. There will be the usual ‘Family Day’ activity around the ground on Sunday and gates will open at 11.15am, while the half time Mini exhibition will see Clane RFC take on Tullow RFC.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney

14: Isa Nacewa

13: Eoin O’Malley

12: Gordon D’Arcy

11: Luke Fitzgerald

10: Jonathan Sexton

9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe

2: Sean Cronin

3: Mike Ross

4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN

5: Devin Toner

6: Kevin McLaughlin

7: Sean O’Brien

8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Richardt Strauss

17: Cian Healy

18: Nathan White

19: Rhys Ruddock

20: Shane Jennings

21: Isaac Boss

22: Ian Madigan

23: Fionn Carr

REFEREE: Andrew Small (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Martin Fox, Roy Maybank (both RFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Kevin Beggs (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Brian MacNeice (IRFU), TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)

Dominic Ryan captains a side which is mixed with youth and experience for the clash in London and he features in a back-row with Leo Auva’a and Ciaran Ruddock who have both featured for the Senior team this season.

Jamie Hagan starts in the front row alongside Aaron Dundon and Jack O’Connell, with Steven Sykes completing the pack alongside fellow second row Mark Flanagan.

John Cooney starts at half back alongside Noel Reid in a backline who have all progressed through the Leinster Academy in recent years. Amongst them is Fionn Carr and Darren Hudson who, alongside Ruddock, was a double try scorer in the ‘A’ side’s recent 46-19 victory over Ulster Ravens in Donnybrook.

LEINSTER:

15: Andrew Conway
14: Darren Hudson
13: Brendan Macken
12: Colm O’Shea
11: Fionn Carr
10: Noel Reid
9: John Cooney

1: Jack O’Connell
2: Aaron Dundon
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Steven Sykes
5: Mark Flanagan
6: Ciaran Ruddock
7: Dominic Ryan CAPTAIN
8: Leo Auva’a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Sexton
17: Martin Moore
18: Ben Marshall
19: Conor Gilsenan
20: Luke McGrath
21: Cathal Marsh
22: Daniel Riordan

Head Coach: Colin McEntee, Assistant Coach: Girvan Dempsey, Team Manager: Michael Kearney

And keeping it to a minimum, just one of those changes comes in the backs, where there’s a straight swop – Lifeimi Mafi for Danny Barnes – experience probably the deciding factor in what had to be a close call.

In the pack, it’s as you were in the front-row, Damien Varley propped by the South African pairing of Wian du Preez and BJ Botha.

In the second row not surprisingly, Paul O’Connell has his usual sidekick Donncha O’Callaghan back alongside with O’Connell’s partner from last weekend, Donnacha Ryan, retained in the side but on the blindside flank.

Experience again probably decided the number 7 and 8 positions, Niall Ronan brought in on the openside at the expense of Peter O’Mahony and Denis Leamy ousting James Coughlan for the number 8 jersey, both O’Mahony and Coughlan named on the bench.

Speaking of the immediate challenge ahead Tony McGahan said. “ I don’t think there are many greater challenges in European rugby than playing the Heineken champions, the number one ranked side in a sell out at the national stadium, a venue they’ve had wonderful success at.

"So what a perfect way to get back into the RaboDirect but also for the upcoming Heineken Cup, it’s a perfect platform to certainly give us a great indication of where we are.”

Munster. J Murphy; D Howlett, W Chambers, L Mafi, K Earls; R O’Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; D Ryan, N Ronan, D Leamy.

Replacements. D Fogarty, M Horan, J Hayes, P O’Mahony, J Coughlan, T O’Leary, I Keatley, D Barnes.

(Not considered because of injury: D Wallace, J Flannery, F Jones, M Sherry, Darragh Hurley, Dave O’Callaghan, T Smith, P Borlase).

Leo Cullen leads a Leinster team which includes 13 Ireland internationals for the visit of Munster including Wexford centre Gordon D’Arcy who is one of five players in total – including the back-row trio of Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings and Sean O’Brien as well as prop Cian Healy – to make their seasonal debuts for the province after their involvement in the Rugby World Cup.

Isaac Boss again partners Jonathan Sexton at half back, with D’Arcy linking up with Fergus McFadden at centre, with Isa Nacewa returning to the wing after being rested last week.

Up front, Healy joins Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross in the front row with skipper Cullen starting at second row alongside Devin Toner. Brian O’Driscoll, after further testing, has been given an extra week to recover from the ‘stinger’ he suffered during the World Cup.

The likes of Sean Cronin, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan and Rhys Ruddock are included on the Leinster replacements bench for the game which is already set to be played in front of over 46,000 supporters and counting, making it the third largest attendance in league history.

Last year’s record attendance was 50,645 against Munster in the Aviva Stadium (2nd October 2010) and the previous record crowd of 48,000 attended ‘The Last Stand’ against Ulster in Lansdowne Road (31st December 2006).

Tickets are still on sale from www.leinsterrugby.ie, the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) as well as Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

*Please note that due to essential ongoing maintenance work at Lansdowne Road DART station, the station will not be in use for supporters on Friday. Supporters are asked to alight from either Grand Canal Dock (those travelling from the north of the city) or Sydney Parade (those travelling from the south of the city) stations. The DART will not operate between Grand Canal Dock – Sydney Parade – Grand Canal Dock.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Sean O’Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Kevin McLaughlin
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Eoin O’Malley

REFEREE: Pascal Gauzere (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: David Wilkinson, Simon McDowell (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: John Montayne (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: Tom Tuohy (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)