O'Shea is handed Leinster debut

<notforsyndication>Watch live coverage of Leinster v Treviso on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Island of Ireland) from 7.00pm on Thursday, 9 February.</notforsyndication>

Colm O’Shea will make his debut for Leinster in the RaboDirect Pro12 clash against Benetton Treviso at the RDS on Thursday, kick-off 7.05pm.

21-year-old O’Shea, a former Belvedere College SJ centre, has featured in four British & Irish Cup games so far this season. He will form a midfield partnership with Brendan Macken in a team mixed with youth and experience.

Isaac Boss links up with Ian Madigan at half back, with Fionn Carr forming a pacey back three alongside Darren Hudson and Isa Nacewa.

Kevin McLaughlin leads the team after recovering from injury and is named in a back-row alongside fellow Ireland international Shane Jennings as well as Leo Auva'a.

Heinke van der Merwe makes his 49thappearance for the province and the South African is joined by Richardt Strauss and Nathan White in the front row.

Leinster XV to play Treviso in RaboDirect Pro 12 at the RDS on Thursday, 9 February, kick-off 7.05pm:

15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Darren Hudson, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Colm O'Shea, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Isaac Boss,
1 Heinke van der Merwe, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Nathan White, 4 Damian Browne, 5 Devin Toner, 6 Kevin, McLaughlin (capt), 7 Shane Jennings, 8 Leo Auva'a

Replacements:
16 Tom Sexton, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Mark Flanagan, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney
22: Noel Reid, 23 Andrew Boyle