James Ryan to make 100th Leinster appearance as team named to face Ulster

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Ulster Rugby in Round 7 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Aviva Stadium on Friday (KO: 7.45pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen.

It’s a milestone game for James Ryan, who will earn his 100th Leinster cap after being named in the second row.

Jack Conan captains the side at number eight, with Scott Penny and Alex Soroka on the flanks. Ryan is joined in the engine room by Brian Deeny.

It’s all change in the front row as Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani will scrum down either side of Gus McCarthy, who has been named at hooker.

Rieko Ioane will make his first appearance in the BKT URC outside of Charlie Tector in the centre, with out-half Sam Prendergast partnering Luke McGrath at scrum-half.

Ciarán Frawley has been named at 15 after coming off the bench to slot in at full-back for most of last Friday’s 23-15 comeback win over Leicester Tigers, with James Lowe and Joshua Kenny on the wings.

Dan Sheehan, Paddy McCarthy and Tadhg Furlong will provide the front row cover for tomorrow night’s game, with Joe McCarthy and Max Deegan completing the forward replacements.

Fintan Gunne and Harry Byrne are the reserve half-backs and Ruben Moloney completes the matchday squad.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Ciarán Frawley (110)
14. Joshua Kenny (3)
13. Rieko Ioane (2)
12. Charlie Tector (20)
11. James Lowe (95)
10. Sam Prendergast (39)
9. Luke McGrath (241)

1. Jack Boyle (34)
2. Gus McCarthy (19)
3. Rabah Slimani (28)
4. Brian Deeny (42)
5. James Ryan (99)
6. Alex Soroka (22)
7. Scott Penny (93)
8. Jack Conan (168) CAPTAIN

Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan (76)
17. Paddy McCarthy (12)
18. Tadhg Furlong (157)
19. Joe McCarthy (52)
20. Max Deegan (143)
21. Fintan Gunne (22)
22. Harry Byrne (78)
23. Ruben Moloney (2)