The former Ireland captain picked-up a minor calf strain in training this week and will skip the trip to Limerick.
In other Leinster team news; Lote Tuqiri takes over at number 13 and will be partnered in the centre by Gordon D'Arcy.
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Rob Keaney has been named at full-back, with Fergus McFadden and Dave Kearney on the wings, while Ian Madigan has been chosen ahead of Jimmy Gopperth at out-half.
Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross will form the front-row with Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip among the loose-forwards.
Heaslip will captains the side in the absence of Leo Cullen, with Mike McCarthy and Devin Toner in the second-row.
