LEO CULLEN HAS made nine changes to the Leinster team that beat Toulouse in last weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final for tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash against the Sharks at Aviva Stadium [KO 5pm, RTÉ2/URC TV].
Luke McGrath will captain the side while out-half Harry Byrne has been named to win his 50th Leinster cap.
A strong back three sees Hugo Keenan continue at fullback, with Jordan Larmour and Dave Kearney on the wings, while Ciarán Frawley and Charlie Ngatai start together in the centre positions for the first time this season.
McGrath captains the side at scrum-half, while Byrne makes his first start since the URC draw at the Stormers in March.
Dan Sheehan is named at hooker with Michael Milne and Tadhg Furlong packing down either side of him in the front row, while Ryan Baird and Jason Jenkins start in the second row.
In back row, Caelan Doris reverts to number eight and lines out alongside Max Deegan and Scott Penny.
Grand Slam winners Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne are all named on a strong Leinster bench, where there is also a welcome return from injury for Joe McCarthy, who could feature for the first time since January.
Leinster:
- 15. Hugo Keenan
- 14. Jordan Larmour
- 13. Ciarán Frawley
- 12. Charlie Ngatai
- 11. Dave Kearney
- 10. Harry Byrne
- 9. Luke McGrath (captain)
- 1. Michael Milne
- 2. Dan Sheehan
- 3. Tadhg Furlong
- 4. Ryan Baird
- 5. Jason Jenkins
- 6. Max Deegan
- 7. Scott Penny
- 8. Caelan Doris
Replacements:
- 16. John McKee (18)
- 17. Andrew Porter (106)
- 18. Cian Healy (262)
- 19. Joe McCarthy (17)
- 20. Jack Conan (130)
- 21. Jamison Gibson-Park (124)
- 22. Ross Byrne (146)
- 23. Liam Turner (18)
Cell C Sharks:
- 15. Aphelele Fassi
- 14. Marnus Potgieter
- 13. Lukhanyo Am (captain)
- 12. Ben Tapuai
- 11. Makazole Mapimpi
- 10. Boeta Chamberlain
- 9. Grant Williams
- 1. Ox Nche
- 2. Bongi Mbonambi
- 3. Thomas du Toit
- 4. Corne Rahl
- 5. Gerbrandt Grobler
- 6. James Venter
- 7. Vincent Tshituka
- 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
Replacements:
- 16. Fez Mbatha
- 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
- 18. Carlu Sadie
- 19. Jeandre Labuschagne
- 20. Phepsi Buthelezi
- 21. Cameron Wright
- 22. Nevaldo Fleurs
- 23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
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