Sexton makes comeback as Cullen rings changes

Lions stand-off Johnny Sexton makes his comeback to captain Leinster in tonight’s Guinness Pro12 clash with bottom side Zebre after shaking off a hamstring injury he picked up in Ireland’s loss to New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in November.

Leinster coach Leo Cullen has made seven changes to the team which beat Ulster on New Year’s Eve.

Centre Robbie Henshaw will partner Garry Ringrose in the centre and prop Cian Healy is in the front row. Zane Kirchner starts at full-back for the third-placed Irish province.

Meanwhile, Irish internationals Rory Best, Iain Henderson, Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall all return to the Ulster side who travel to face Scarlets in Llanelli.

In-form Scarlets have made sweeping changes, including a new half-back pairing of Gareth Davies and Dan Jones. Jonathan Davies and Hadleigh Parkes are reunited in the midfield. Liam Williams makes a return on the wing with Johnny Mcnicholl given the nod at full-back.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said: “Ulster are a good side. We expect a big game. If you look at the points table – ourselves, Glasgow and Ulster are probably at the moment fighting it out for the fourth position, unless there’s a change in form. It’s a massive game in the context of that push for top four; both teams will want a result from this one definitely.

“Our next two games in the Pro12 are Ulster and Glasgow, teams sitting in fourth, fifth and sixth all within a couple of points of each other. This game Friday is a big match and so is the Glasgow one in terms of our campaign.”