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Nacewa is the only back to retain his place as Leinster prepare for Connacht

Leo Cullen’s side hope to get back on track as they face the reigning PRO12 champions.

LEO CULLEN HAS made ten changes to last weekend’s side who were beaten by Montpellier, as they prepare to face Connacht tomorrow.

Captain Isa Nacewa is the only back that has kept his place after scoring a try and four successful kicks last weekend. The Fijian international moves from the left wing and lines out at full-back.

Isa Nacewa Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Meanwhile, UCD’s Adam Byrne makes his first start of the season while Sean O’Brien starts again for the second time since a serious hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines for nine months.

Leinster:

15. Isa Nacewa (C)
14. Adam Byrne
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Noel Reid
11. Barry Daly
10. Joey Carbery
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Cian Healy
2. Sean Cronin
3. Mike Ross
4. Mick Kearney
5. Ian Nagle
6. Dan Leavy
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jack Conan

Replacements:

16. James Tracy
17. Peter Dooley
18. Michael Bent
19. Mike McCarthy
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ross Byrne
23. Rob Kearney

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33 Comments
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    Mute Farz S
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    Oct 4th 2023, 7:13 PM

    Got to go full guns. We can rest players if we make the semis.

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    Mute Sèan
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    Oct 4th 2023, 7:16 PM

    @Farz S: haha

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    Mute Tom
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    Oct 4th 2023, 7:25 PM

    @Farz S: ha! Good craic!

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    Mute Gary Galligan
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    Oct 4th 2023, 7:04 PM

    McCloskey 23

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    Mute Sèan
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    Oct 4th 2023, 7:05 PM

    @Gary Galligan: ireland by 24

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    Mute Paul Harvey
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    Oct 4th 2023, 7:07 PM

    I think Ross Byrne will get the bench this time
    It’s all about just winning. A good kicker might be the difference

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    Mute brian o'leary
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    Oct 4th 2023, 7:27 PM

    @Paul Harvey: looks like Ross is plan C.

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    Mute 0UWMNglt
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    Oct 4th 2023, 9:00 PM

    @Paul Harvey: Crowley is a winner who makes his kicks so you’ll need to come up with something else

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    Mute D Farrell
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    Oct 4th 2023, 10:00 PM

    Realistically, in 7 days, we take on the All Blacks. So, l would start most of the bench. Our front row bomb squad comes on when needed. Beard for Pete @ 6. Conan for Dorris, who replaces JVF after 50 mins. Crowley covers plays a bit at 12. JOB to start or at least have 23 the shirt. Scotland might have patches, especially the wingers, but likely to lose by 20+ points.

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    Mute D Farrell
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    Oct 4th 2023, 10:17 PM

    @D Farrell: You’re dead, right!

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    Mute 0UWMNglt
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    Oct 4th 2023, 10:35 PM

    @D Farrell: it’s that kind of arrogance we were seeing in 2007 and 2019

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    Mute Anton phelan
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    Oct 4th 2023, 10:05 PM

    Healy for Kilcoyne

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    Mute 0UWMNglt
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    Oct 4th 2023, 10:34 PM

    @Anton phelan: go watch a Leinster match. Some of us want to support Ireland instead

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    Mute Gos9
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    Oct 4th 2023, 9:59 PM

    Would love to see Jimmy O’ Brien get the 23 shirt and a well deserved world cup cap. His versatility suits this fixture.

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    Mute Paul Burke
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    Oct 5th 2023, 12:10 AM

    @Gos9: in what sense or why this fixture in particular ?

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    Mute William Joyce
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    Oct 5th 2023, 12:15 PM

    Start Finlay with Furlong on the bench. Thoughts??

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