Zebre Rugby team manager Andrea De Rossi is preparing his troops for a tough battle on Friday night against a Leinster side who have called in the cavalry.

Leinster have slipped to back-to-back defeats at Wasps in Europe and at Newport Gwent Dragons in the GUINNESS PRO12.

And as they look to arrest this form head coach Leo Cullen has been able to call on Ireland props Cian Healy and Mike Ross after the pair recovered from respective hamstring and knee injuries.

But while De Rossi accepts that his Zebre side face a tough challenge at the RDS Arena, he is not about to throw in the towel just yet.

"We'll face a strong team also reinforced by the return from injury of two Ireland props at the last World Cup in Healy and Ross.

“Leinster are back on home soil after two straight defeats with the aim of producing a big performance. We know this and we are ready for this challenge.”

Zebre have won their last two away games and with Kelly Haimona with Italy, have turned to Fiamme Oro Rugby’s Maicol Azzolini at fly-half, while Rugby Viadana 1970 winger Abou Souare comes in for the injured Michele Visentin.

De Rossi added: “We are happy to give confidence at the fly-half position to former Italian Academy Azzolini and also to Souare who has shown good speed and athletic qualities during the training week.”

Although Leinster are staring down the barrel of a third straight defeat, they are unbeaten in their last nine GUINNESS PRO12 encounters at the RDS Arena.

And as well as Healy and Ross returning to their starting XV Cullen is also able to include Isa Nacewa again to captain the side from the left wing.

The back row sees Josh van der Flier return from Ireland camp at openside flanker with Dominic Ryan and Jordi Murphy again selected at blindside and No.8.

At RDS Arena, 7.30pm.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 17th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Mark Connolly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)