LEO CULLEN HAS switched out 10 of the XV who started Leinster’s bruising Champions Cup quarter-final win over Saracens for tomorrow’s Pro14 tussle at home to Zebre (kick-off 14.00, TG4).
However, despite clocking up plenty of international minutes during Ireland’s Six Nations campaign, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner and Dan Leavy retain their starting place for a second consecutive week.
On the day of his 213th cap, Toner will captain his province for the first time and he will be joined in the second row by Mick Kearney with Josh Murphy and Max Deegan joining Leavy in the back row.
Advertisement
There is a much less grizzled look to the back-line where Ross Byrne will play out-half, with Mullingar man Conor O’Brien making his second start for Leinster in the centre alongside Rory O’Loughlin.
Mullin, right, at Leinster training with Will Connors who is currently on Sevens duty in Hong Kong. Oisin Keniry / INPHO
Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO
Offering cover from the bench for that area will be Gavin Mullin, son of 56-cap Ireland international Brendan, in line to win his first Leinster cap as a replacement.
With Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery rested, Ciaran Frawley is the back-up out-half with fellow low-cap prospects Vakh Abdalaze and Peadar Timmins also prepared to make an impact as Leinster bid to secure top spot in the Pro14′s Conference B.
Leinster (v Zebre)
15. Barry Daly
14. Adam Byrne
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Conor O’Brien
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. James Tracy
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner (Capt)
5. Mick Kearney
6. Josh Murphy
7. Dan Leavy
8. Max Deegan
Replacements
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Peter Dooley
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Ross Molony
20. Peadar Timmins
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Ciarán Frawley
23. Gavin Mullin
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
32 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
No rest required for Furlong and Healy as they lead Leinster into Zebre clash
LEO CULLEN HAS switched out 10 of the XV who started Leinster’s bruising Champions Cup quarter-final win over Saracens for tomorrow’s Pro14 tussle at home to Zebre (kick-off 14.00, TG4).
However, despite clocking up plenty of international minutes during Ireland’s Six Nations campaign, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner and Dan Leavy retain their starting place for a second consecutive week.
On the day of his 213th cap, Toner will captain his province for the first time and he will be joined in the second row by Mick Kearney with Josh Murphy and Max Deegan joining Leavy in the back row.
There is a much less grizzled look to the back-line where Ross Byrne will play out-half, with Mullingar man Conor O’Brien making his second start for Leinster in the centre alongside Rory O’Loughlin.
Offering cover from the bench for that area will be Gavin Mullin, son of 56-cap Ireland international Brendan, in line to win his first Leinster cap as a replacement.
With Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery rested, Ciaran Frawley is the back-up out-half with fellow low-cap prospects Vakh Abdalaze and Peadar Timmins also prepared to make an impact as Leinster bid to secure top spot in the Pro14′s Conference B.
Leinster (v Zebre)
15. Barry Daly
14. Adam Byrne
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Conor O’Brien
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. James Tracy
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner (Capt)
5. Mick Kearney
6. Josh Murphy
7. Dan Leavy
8. Max Deegan
Replacements
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Peter Dooley
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Ross Molony
20. Peadar Timmins
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Ciarán Frawley
23. Gavin Mullin
7/11: Ireland off to perfect start with two wins in Hong Kong
U20 stars can’t stop Trinity battling from 10 down to take Colours honours
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
First XV Leinster pro14 staying sharp team leinster Team-sheets Zebre