GARRY RINGROSE WILL make his first appearance in five months when Leinster face Treviso in the Pro14 tomorrow afternoon [KO 3.30pm, TG4], while Kiwi James Lowe has been named to make his debut for the province.
Ringrose had been sidelined since undergoing shoulder surgery following Ireland’s summer tour of USA and Japan but his return is a major fillip for Leo Cullen at the start of a busy block of fixtures.
The 22-year-old partners Noel Reid in the Leinster midfield for Saturday’s trip to Stadio Monigo in what will be his first outing of the season, as Cullen makes 10 changes from last week’s demolition of the Dragons.
Jordan Larmour was the star of the show in the eight-try rout and retains his place at fullback but there are changes on both wings with Dave Kearney returning and Lowe handed a first start.
The 25-year-old arrived from Tasman during the November break and there will be huge excitement among Leinster supporters after he was included in an exciting XV named by Cullen.
Ross Byrne continues at out-half and is joined in the half-backs by Luke McGrath — who captains Leinster — while Jack McGrath, James Tracy, Andrew Porter and Jack Conan are all handed starts after involvement with Ireland during the three-Test window.
There is also a return from injury for Josh van der Flier while Ian Nagle makes his first start of the campaign and is partnered in the second row by the ever-present Scott Fardy. Jordi Murphy completes the pack.
Sean Cronin, Ed Byrne, Max Deegan, Fergus McFadden and Rory O’Loughlin all drop to the bench, which also includes Clontarf prop Vakh Abdaladze who could make his debut if introduced.
A week out from their Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, Leinster will be hoping to maintain momentum heading into the European fixtures with several players given the chance to stake their claim for inclusion going forward.
After the bonus-point win over Dragons, Cullen’s side sit second in Conference B of the Pro14 seven points behind pacesetters Scarlets, who themselves have a tricky assignment away to the Cheetahs this weekend.
But Leinster know an improving Treviso side will be no pushovers in Italy with Kieran Crowley’s side pushing Ulster all the way in Belfast last week as they looked for their fourth win of the campaign.
The hosts have made two changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s round 10 fixture, but ex-Leinster out-half Ian McKinley won’t be involved against his former side.
Leinster:
15. Jordan Larmour
14. Dave Kearney
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Noel Reid
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath (captain)
1. Jack McGrath
2. James Tracy
3. Andrew Porter
4. Ian Nagle
5. Scott Fardy
6. Jordi Murphy
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Seán Cronin
17. Ed Byrne
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Mick Kearney
20. Max Deegan
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Fergus McFadden
23. Rory O’Loughlin.
Treviso:
15. Marty Banks
14. Tommaso Benvenuti
13. Ignacio Brex
12. Alberto Sgarbi (captain)
11. Luca Sperandio
10. Tommaso Allan
9. Giorgio Bronzini
1. Cherif Traore
2. Tomas Baravalle
3. Tiziano Pasquali
4. Alessandro Zanni
5. Irne Herbst
6. Whetu Douglas
7. Nasi Manu
8. Robert Barbieri
Replacements:
16. Hame Faiva
17. Nicola Quaglio
18. Alberto De Marchi
19. Federico Ruzza
20. Marco Lazzaroni
21. Sebastian Negri
22. Edoardo Gori
23. Luca Morisi.
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