Sexton back for Leinster

Johnny Sexton returns to the Leinster starting XV for Friday's Guinness PRO12 clash with Zebre at the RDS.

Sexton has not played since he picked up a hamstring injury in Ireland's defeat to New Zealand in Dublin on 19 November.

Having struggled with hamstring problems in recent seasons, the Leinster and Ireland fly-half was given a break to in order to fully recover from the injury. After five weeks of strength and conditioning work he returned to training ahead of last weekend's win over Ulster but he did not feature in the inter-provincial derby.

He returns to the side for the visit of Zebre and will captain the side from number ten, partnering Luke McGrath, who is named at scrum-half.

In total there are 12 changes to the side that defeated Ulster with Zane Kirchner coming in at full-back as Adam Byrne and Rory O’Loughlin continue on the wings.

Robbie Henshaw also returns to the side, starting at number 13, to partner Garry Ringrose in the centre.

Cian Healy and James Tracy will start alongside Michael Bent in the front row with Devin Toner and Hayden Triggs once again named in the second row.

Dan Leavy comes in at blindside flanker and his inclusion sees Sean O'Brien move to openside, while Jack Conan gets the nod at number eight.

Leinster (XV v Zebre): Z Kirchner; A Byrne, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, R O'Loughlin; J Sexton, L McGrath; C Healy, J Tracy, M Bent, D Toner, H Triggs, D Leavy, S O'Brien, J Conan.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, T Furlong, R Ruddock, J Heaslip, J Gibson-Park, R Byrne, N Reid. Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss has made nine changes to his side for the trip to face Scarlets.

Louis Ludik and Jacob Stockdale come into the back three where they are joined by Andrew Trimble, while the returning Luke Marshall is named alongside Stuart McCloskey in the centre. Paul Marshall and Paddy Jackson make up the half-back line.

Rory Best returns to the front row after sitting out the defeat to Leinster and he will be joined by props Callum Black and Ross Kane.

Iain Henderson also makes his return and he will lock down with Kieran Treadwell in the second row, as Chris Henry joins Clive Ross and Sean Reidy to complete the pack.

Ulster (XV v Scarlets): L Ludik; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; P Jackson, P Marshall; C Black, R Best, R Kane, K Treadwell, I Henderson, C Ross, C Henry, S Reidy.

Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, J Simpson, F van der Merwe, P Browne, D Shanahan, B Herron, T Bowe.