Lowe returns to starting lineup for Stade Francais match

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Stade Francais in Pool 4 of the Investec Champions Cup tomorrow evening in Aviva Stadium has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen (KO: 5:30pm, live on RTÉ2, TNT Sports 3 and RTÉ Radio 1). 

Garry Ringrose captains the team for the first match between the two sides since the 2013 Amlin Challenge Cup Final, while Luke McGrath (pictured below) is in line to win his 200th cap for Leinster off the bench.

The backline sees one change from the team that defeated Sale Sharks in the RDS last month. There is a welcome return for James Lowe who makes his first appearance of the season.

Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and Lowe named on the wings.

Ringrose is joined by Robbie Henshaw in the centre, with Ciarán Frawley and Jamison Gibson-Park completing the backline.

There are two changes in the pack from the Sale win, with Tadhg Furlong and Joe McCarthy returning to the starting XV.

Furlong joins Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan in an experienced front-row, while Jason Jenkins partners McCarthy (pictured below) in the second row.

Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris complete the back-row for the second European game in a row.

Among the replacements, Cian Healy is the only player named in the squad to have played in the last match between the sides, while Luke McGrath is set to make his 200th Leinster appearance if called upon.

McGrath made his Leinster debut against Dragons in May 2012, and to date has won a European Champions Cup in 2018, along with four PRO14 titles. He captained the side in the 2021 Final win over Munster.

The 30-year-old becomes the eleventh player to reach 200 caps for Leinster, and has won 19 Ireland caps to date.

Speaking ahead of the game, Senior Coach Jacques Nienaber said the Parisians will prove to be a tough test.

“They’re a big side, who live off good forward momentum. They can be quite dynamic too!

“We will have to be smart in how we approach them. They’re not third in the Top14 for nothing.”

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Hugo Keenan (61)
14. Jordan Larmour (97)
13. Garry Ringrose (121) CAPTAIN
12. Robbie Henshaw (82)
11. James Lowe (72)
10. Ciarán Frawley (78)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (132)

1. Andrew Porter (113)
2. Dan Sheehan (53)
3. Tadhg Furlong (137)
4. Joe McCarthy (26)
5. Jason Jenkins (28)
6. Ryan Baird (60)
7. Josh van der Flier (133)
8. Caelan Doris (73)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (53)
17. Cian Healy (269)
18. Michael Ala’alatoa (56)
19. James Ryan (77)
20. Jack Conan (137)
21. Luke McGrath (199)
22. Sam Prendergast (8)
23. Tommy O’Brien (29)

Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)