Leinster have announced the somewhat surprising decision to replace Jamie Heaslip as the province's captain. In his stead will be Isa Nacewa who takes the honour on a permanent basis having led the team for the start of the Pro12 campaign.
Leo Cullen announced the decision today as he named his team to take on Benneton Treviso on Sunday.
Kevin McLaughlin had, earlier this year, been named captain for the duration of the World Cup. However, after McLaughlin was forced to retire due to increasing susceptibility to concussion, Nacewa was given the honour on what was expected to be a temporary basis.
However, now that Leinster's World Cup contingent has returned, Cullen has taken the decision to install Nacewa as his permanent captain with Heaslip and Johnny Sexton being named as vice-captains for the season.
Speaking of Johnny Sexton. Cullen has confirmed that the prodigal son will make his return to Leinster blue this weekend as he is fit enough to start the game in Italy after recovering from the groin injury that forced him to miss the World Cup quarter final defeat to Argentina.
Leinster team to face Treviso:
15. Isa Nacewa (c)
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Luke Fitzgerald
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Hayden Triggs
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jack Conan
Substitutes
16. Richardt Strauss
17. Cian Healy
18. Marty Moore
19. Devin Toner
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Luke McGrath
22. Cathal Marsh
23. Noel Reid
