James Ryan to make 50th Champions Cup appearance as team named for Bayonne clash

Afternoon all,

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Aviron Bayonnais in Round 4 of the Investec Champions Cup at Stade Jean-Dauger on Saturday (KO: 4.15pm local time / 3.15pm Irish time live on Premier Sports 2) has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen.

James Ryan will make his 50th appearance in the competition after being named in the starting XV, while Caelan Doris will captain Leinster once more as he makes his 99th appearance in all competitions for the province.

Max Deegan comes into the back row in one of eight changes to the starting XV from last Saturday's 25-24 win over Stade Rochelais at Aviva Stadium, with Josh van der Flier on the opposite flank and Doris at number eight.

RG Snyman comes back into the team for the first time since the beginning of December and he will partner Ryan in the second row while Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong all come in to make up a new-look front row.

Jimmy O'Brien returns for his first appearance in over a month to start at full-back, with Tommy O'Brien and Joshua Kenny on the wings.

Garry Ringrose returns for his first outing since the defeat of Harlequins on the opening day of the competition, with Robbie Henshaw his partner in the centre.

Harry Byrne has been named at out-half after coming off the bench to score the winning kick against Stade Rochelais last week, with Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half.

Dan Sheehan, Jerry Cahir and Thomas Clarkson provide the front row cover for Saturday's game, with Joe McCarthy and Scott Penny completing the forward reinforcements. Luke McGrath and Sam Prendergast cover the half-back positions, with Rieko Ioane completing the matchday 23.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Jimmy O'Brien (109)
14. Tommy O’Brien (54)
13. Garry Ringrose (141)
12. Robbie Henshaw (111)
11. Joshua Kenny (6)
10. Harry Byrne (81)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (163)

1. Jack Boyle (36)
2. Rónan Kelleher (85)
3. Tadhg Furlong (159)
4. RG Snyman (26)
5. James Ryan (102)
6. Max Deegan (147)
7. Josh van der Flier (165)
8. Caelan Doris (98) CAPTAIN

Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan (79)
17. Jerry Cahir (4)
18. Thomas Clarkson (68)
19. Joe McCarthy (56)
20. Scott Penny (95)
21. Luke McGrath (244)
22. Sam Prendergast (42)
23. Rieko Ioane (5)

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU).