Leinster team named for trip to Leicester Tigers

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Leicester Tigers in Pool 4 of the Investec Champions Cup tomorrow afternoon in Mattioli Woods Welford Road has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen (KO: 3:15pm, live on TNT Sports and Newstalk).

Co-captain James Ryan comes into the team in place of Jason Jenkins, while Harry Byrne (pictured below) replaces Ciarán Frawley at fly-half. They are the only changes from the side that defeated Stade Francais last weekend.

Hugo Keenan starts once more at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and James Lowe named on the wings. Larmour is in line to win his 99th Leinster cap, in the week where he earned a call-up into Ireland’s Six Nations squad.

Co-captain Garry Ringrose is joined by Robbie Henshaw in the centre, with Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park completing the backline.

In the pack, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong join Dan Sheehan in the front-row, with Ryan partnering Joe McCarthy in the second row.

Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris complete the pack.

Among the replacements, Ross Molony (pictured above) is set to make his first European appearance of the season.

Speaking ahead of the game, Andrew Goodman said he is expecting a tough battle in one of English rugby’s most famous grounds.

“Leicester have a clear DNA – especially in Welford Road. They have a clear way of how they want to play the game. We will need to step up across the board from last week’s performance, especially away from home.”

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Hugo Keenan (62)
14. Jordan Larmour (98)
13. Garry Ringrose (122) CO-CAPTAIN
12. Robbie Henshaw (83)
11. James Lowe (73)
10. Harry Byrne (59)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (133)

1. Andrew Porter (114)
2. Dan Sheehan (54)
3. Tadhg Furlong (138)
4. Joe McCarthy (27)
5. James Ryan (78) CO-CAPTAIN
6. Ryan Baird (61)
7. Josh van der Flier (134)
8. Caelan Doris (74)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (54)
17. Cian Healy (270)
18. Michael Ala’alatoa (57)
19. Ross Molony (170)
20. Jack Conan (138)
21. Luke McGrath (200)
22. Sam Prendergast (9)
23. Tommy O’Brien (30)

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)