LEINSTER HAVE NAMED Jack Conan as captain for tomorrow night’s URC clash against Ulster, (KO: Ravenhill 7.35pm, Premier Sports 1 and RTÉ Player).
Conan returns to the starting side as part of 11 changes from Leinster’s most recent tie, when they defeated the Lions last month.
Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour and John McKee have all recovered from injury to take their respective places in the starting XV.
Andrew Osborne joins Larmour and O’Brien in the back three, Ross Byrne gets the nod at ten, while Diarmuid Mangan will make his first appearance of the season alongside Brian Deeny in the second row.
RG Snyman, who played in all three of South Africa’s victorious autumn internationals this month, has also been named among the replacements.
For Ulster, Alan O’Connor captains the side alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row, while tighthead prop Scott Wilson will make his first start of the season.
The back-row sees James McNabney start at blindside flanker with Nick Timoney starting on the openside, after his return from Ireland international duty.
Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson start in the midfield together to form a young centre pairing, while Stewart Moore makes his return from recent injury at full-back.
Leinster
15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Liam Turner
12. Charlie Tector
11. Andrew Osborne
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack Boyle
2. John McKee
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Diarmuid Mangan
5. Brian Deeny
6. Max Deegan
7. Will Connors
8. Jack Conan (captain)
Replacements:
16. Lee Barron
17. Michael Milne
18. Rory McGuire
19. RG Snyman
20. James Culhane
21. Fintan Gunne
22. Harry Byrne
23. Scott Penny
****
Ulster
15. Stewart Moore
14. Werner Kok
13. Ben Carson
12. Jude Postlethwaite
11. Michael Lowry
10. Aidan Morgan
9. Nathan Doak
1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. James McCormick
3. Scott Wilson
4. Alan O’Connor (captain)
5. Kieran Treadwell
6. James McNabney
7. Nick Timoney
8. David McCann
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Corrie Barrett
19. Harry Sheridan
20. Marcus Rea
21. John Cooney
22. James Humphreys
23. Ben Moxham
Cheat
Get over it
Also go and get your facts right
He is disgrace to the nation. Bet this time sample B won’t go missing
bit severe. it was his horse. he’s the real cheat. glue factory.
Seen his horse hanging out on the boardwalk of the Liffey.
Why is it that people give out when we don’t win medals, but when we put a rider into a competition who has a really good chance of a medal, people call him a cheat, ( his horse failed a doping test ) not Cain and don’t forget he was cleared of having any involvement, plus all of cian’s horses have passed every doping test within the last four years . so why don’t you all get of your high horses . I wish Cain all the best in the qualifier maybe he’ll even bring a medal home .
Well said.
I’m disgusted that this guy is representing my country. As far as I’m concerned he’s a cheat, he shouldn’t be there. If he wins a medal I won’t be celebrating.
im the same..can’t support him.
Well said Vanessa
Humans who take drugs have control over what goes into their bodies, if you are a rider, lots of other people have access to the horse, grooms, vets, anyone passing the stable.
That last episode was all a story from “spooks” missing sample, break in to offices ect
Very strange but still stripped of gold and should not have gone his place should have been given to next in line
Where are all these stupid cheat comments coming from? From my recollection it was his horse that tested positive for a banned substance and not Cian and he was cleared of all involvement in the doping incident. Before or since Athens there hasn’t been a single concern raised about any horse ridden by O’Connor. Get your facts straight before accusing a sportsperson of something so serious.
It’s the fact that there was a real underhanded effort to get sample b to disappear. Said he had no knowledge of it. Well he would say that wouldn’t he.
Don’t we have short memories.
I am a show jumping fan 24/7. I am involved in the production of young horses and travel to shows around the country week in and week out. I do not recognise most of the people commenting on this thread. Yes you are entitled to an opion but that doesnt make you informed or correct. Well done Cian and good luck in the next round from a real Irish Show Jumping Supporter.
Eric Lamaze reigning Olympic champion was thrown out of the Canadian team on several occasions because of cocaine abuse. Now clean and forgiven and hugely popular ( as well as really brilliant ) … Why can’t Cian O’Connor benefit from a similar forgiveness? Especially since his horse tested positive for a tranquilliser?? Go on Cian! Win a medal !! Might be difficult against this English and Saudi Arabians…
Other riders and their families have suffered as a result of this guys drug history. Yet because of his connections he gets picked – whoever picked him should be fired and the committee that helped decide. It means the selectors are cheats as well as O Connor. If a family member of mine was missed out as a result of corruption and cheating I would be disgusted. It’s real Irish where the rich can buy their way out of trouble. Pat Hickey gets promoted and the honest people who compete against O Connor and his selectors must try and keep their chins up against these cheats. It’s our children who will suffer from the example given ie take drugs and you get ahead. Thank you Pat Hickey and your selectors for this sin against decent people. I hope he falls of his horse.
Irish people don’t like success in others, they just like to wallow in their own self pity and blame other people, the government, the British. Someone does well? Must be a cheat, someone earns to much? Must be corrupt. Get over yourselves, knock that large chip off your shoulder and support your country and those competing and working hard for it. Bring on the reds!
so who gave the horse the drugs?
the FEI said it was satisfied that Cian O’Connor was not involved in a deliberate attempt to influence the performance of the horse.
Although the substance was prohibited, it was not performance enhancing.
Always amuses me when i state FACTS and get red thumbs, seems people don’t like the truth.