Head coach Leo Cullen has insisted that Devin Toner's omission from the Leinster team to face Scarlets in the Guinness PRO12 semi-final at the RDS tomorrow, is nothing to do with a loss of form.
The Blues lock was dropped for Ireland's final Six Nations game against England in March but has played in four key games for his province since then; vs Wasps and Clermont in the Champions Cup and Ospreys and Ulster in the Guinness PRO12.
Cullen said today that Toner was "carrying a little bit of an ankle knock" from the Ulster game and did not train last week while he also dismissed suggestions he hasn't been playing well enough of late.
"No, I just think it's a competitive group and Dev will come on. I think it's important that we finish strong in these games and Dev will give us good impact there.
"Hayden [Triggs] and Ross Molony have both gone well this year so I think we've got a good combination, as I said, guys starting and guys finishing now as well."
Sean O'Brien has not played since the Champions Cup win against Wasps due to a hamstring complaint which forced him out of the semi-final against Clermont Auvergne.
The flanker is one of six forwards named in the replacements with Jamison Gibson-Park and Zane Kirchner the only backs selected in reserve.
"Rhys [Ruddock] says he's pretty happy covering midfield and Dan Leavy likes covering the wing as well," Cullen joked, when asked about the six/two split on the bench.
"We've done it a couple of times before. There is always a little bit of a risk but as I've said, I think we've a strong group there.
"The likes of Luke McGrath has played on the wing earlier on this year for us. Zane [Kirchner] gives very, very good coverage, whether 15, on the wing or he's played in the centre as well this season for us so we've got good versatility there across the board."
Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Joey Carbery (22)
14. Adam Byrne (23)
13. Garry Ringrose (38)
12. Robbie Henshaw (12)
11. Isa Nacewa (169) CAPTAIN
10. Johnny Sexton (135)
9. Luke McGrath (74)
1. Jack McGrath (112)
2. James Tracy (41)
3. Tadhg Furlong (66)
4. Ross Molony (44)
5. Hayden Triggs (30)
6. Rhys Ruddock (130)
7. Josh van der Flier (45)
8. Jack Conan (50)
16. Richardt Strauss (146)
17. Cian Healy (171)
18. Michael Bent (86)
19. Devin Toner (197)
20. Dan Leavy (38)
21. Seán O'Brien (110)
22. Jamison Gibson-Park (28)
23. Zane Kirchner (87)
Referee: Marius Mitrea (ITA)
