Luke McGrath to captain Leinster against Vodacom Bulls

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on the Vodacom Bulls in Round 13 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium (KO: 3pm Irish time/5pm local time, live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen.

There are three changes to the starting XV from the win over Cardiff Rugby at Aviva Stadium at the beginning of March as James Culhane, RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett come into the team.

Luke McGrath captains the side once more and Ross Byrne starts at out-half while Academy centre Hugh Cooney joins Barrett in the midfield.

Jimmy O'Brien starts at full-back with Tommy O'Brien and Academy star Andrew Osborne on the wings.

Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani will scrum down either side of John McKee in an unchanged front row, while Snyman has been called in to partner Academy forward Diarmuid Mangan in the second row.

Culhane comes in at number eight while Max Deegan switches to the flank and Will Connors retains the number seven shirt.

Thomas Clarkson has been named among the replacements with Academy hooker Stephen Smyth and Clontarf prop Ivan Soroka retaining the spots on the bench.

Alex Soroka, the younger brother of Ivan, offers reinforcements alongside Brian Deeny and Scott Penny in a 6-2 bench split.

Academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne and Ciarán Frawley provide the cover for the backs.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Jimmy O’Brien (93)
14. Tommy O’Brien (39)
13. Hugh Cooney (4)
12. Jordie Barrett (6)
11. Andrew Osborne (9)
10. Ross Byrne (178)
9. Luke McGrath (225) CAPTAIN

1. Jack Boyle (19)
2. John McKee (32)
3. Rabah Slimani (14)
4. RG Snyman (13)
5. Diarmuid Mangan (8)
6. Max Deegan (126)
7. Will Connors (54)
8. James Culhane (14)

Replacements:
16. Stephen Smyth (3)
17. Ivan Soroka (1)
18. Thomas Clarkson (50)
19. Brian Deeny (33)
20. Alex Soroka (13)
21. Scott Penny (80)
22. Fintan Gunne (10)
23. Ciarán Frawley (95)