James Ryan returns from injury for Leicester clash
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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named his Leinster Rugby team to take on Leicester Tigers in the last eight of the Heineken Champions Cup tomorrow (KO 5.30pm – LIVE on BT Sport).
It’s the first meeting between the sides since the same stage in 2011.
James Ryan returns for the clash Champions Cup clash having not featured for the province since October against Scarlets but had featured internationally until being forced out of the Six Nations through injury.
He joins a front five that also sees Rónan Kelleher make his first appearance since picking up a shoulder knock on international duty.
Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong join Kelleher in the front row while Ross Molony will be alongside Ryan at lock.
Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan will be the back row at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Johnny Sexton will captain the team from 10, partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.
The back five are unchanged from the Round of 16 ties against Connacht.
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose make up the midfield with Hugo Keenan at full-back flanked by James Lowe on the left and Jimmy O’Brien on the right.
On the bench, Academy second row Joe McCarthy is in line for his European debut should he be brought on while out-half Ross Byrne is just a single point off 800 for Leinster.
LEINSTER LINEUP
15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Jimmy O'Brien, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (c), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Ross Molony, 5. James Ryan, 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan.
Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Michael Ala'alatoa, 19. Joe McCarthy, 20. Rhys Ruddock, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Tommy O'Brien,
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
AR1: Thomas Charabas (France)
AR2: Laurent Cardona (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Broadcasters: BT Sport / beIN SPORTS