Sexton returns to captain Leinster

Johnny Sexton will captain Leinster on his first start of the season in Friday's Pro 14 game against Edinburgh at the RDS.

The Ireland out-half is one of four Leinster players who will make their first starts of the season after an extended break following British and Irish Lions duty.

Sean O'Brien, Tadhg Furlong and Jack McGrath will also make their seasonal debuts against Richard Cockerill's side, while Leinster's fifth Lion, Robbie Henshaw, may return for next week's game against Munster.

"Robbie is very close. We decided to err on the side of caution. He'll be good for next week," head coach Leo Cullen said.

Luke McGrath returns after missing the defeat to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein with an arm injury, while second rows Scott Fardy and Devin Toner return from parental leave.

Fergus McFadden will start his first Pro 14 game of the season after missing the trip to South Africa with a hamstring problem.

Fardy, 33, is determined to win a trophy this season after a 10-year senior career, and 39 Australia caps, with a winners' medal.

"Every time I play, I’m playing to win trophies," he said. 

"In the past the Brumbies played a lot of finals and I’ve played in World Cup finals and other things and I've missed out. I'm always trying to win trophies.

"Obviously the proud history that you've got in Leinster, they have the ability to win trophies and you see the names on the team sheet that have done it before. So I'd like to be part of something like that as well."

Photo Getty Images/David Rogers

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