JORDIE BARRETT WILL make his Leinster debut off the bench in Sunday’s Champions Cup opener against Bristol at Ashton Gate [KO 5.30pm, Premier Sports].
The All Blacks star linked up with the province last week and is now set to make his first appearance as Leo Cullen’s side launch their latest bid to win the province’s fifth Champions Cup title.
Hugo Keenan doesn’t feature for Leinster after suffering a suspected wrist injury, while James Lowe is also absent after his involvement with Ireland last month. However, Cullen welcomes back lots of his international stars.
Ciarán Frawley returns to start at fullback, with 21-year-old Sam Prendergast coming into the number 10 shirt after featuring in Ireland’s last three games. This will be Prendergast’s first start for Leinster in the Champions Cup.
Jimmy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour make up the back three along with Frawley, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw come into the midfield slots, while Jamison Gibson-Park partners Prendergast in the halfbacks.
22-year-old Jack Boyle gets a big starting chance at loosehead prop, his first Champions Cup appearance, while Rónan Kelleher returns at hooker and Rabah Slimani continues at tighthead prop with Tadhg Furlong remaining sidelined.
James Ryan and Joe McCarthy combine in the second row as Josh van der Flier makes his comeback in the back row alongside Max Deegan and Jack Conan, who will lead the team.
Ireland and Leinster captain Caelan Doris is part of a potent-looking Leinster bench along with Barrett, Andrew Porter, RG Snyman, Luke McGrath, and Ross Byrne. Tighthead prop Thomas Clarkson and hooker Gus McCarthy, who both made their Ireland debuts last month, also feature in the matchday 23.
Meanwhile, England internationals Ellis Genge and Harry Randall return for Pat Lam’s Bristol, with former Connacht and Ireland scrum-half Kieran Marmion on the bench.
Leinster (v Bristol):
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Jimmy O’Brien
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Jack Boyle
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Max Deegan
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan (captain)
Replacements:
16. Gus McCarthy
17. Andrew Porter
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. RG Snyman
20. Caelan Doris
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordie Barrett
Bristol:
15. Rich Lane
14. Jack Bates
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
12. Kalaveti Ravouvou
11. Gabriel Ibitoye
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Harry Thacker
3. Max Lahiff
4. James Dun
5. Joe Owen
6. Santiago Grondona
7. Fitz Harding (captain)
8. Bill Mata
Replacements:
16. Gabriel Oghre
17. Jake Woolmore
18. Lovejoy Chawatama
19. Steven Luatua
20. Benjamin Grondona
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joe Jenkins
23. Benjamin Elizalde
Referee: Pierre Brousset [France].
Great selection! Very pleased Porter, VDF and Doris will get a semi rest, they all went 4 in a row; those plus Barrett and RG on the bench is a serious flex
@Andrew Slazenger: Sorry not VDF, missed he’s starting. Ideally he’s rested vs Clermont
@Andrew Slazenger: we will need him more v clermont,unless we start penny
@David Clarke: I think in an ideal world Porter and Doris only do 20 mins meaning they both start next week with Penny, and VDF gets full rest
@Andrew Slazenger: Savage bench, virtually all of them could start without weakening the team.
@Andrew Slazenger: Thank Gawd, you didn’t put the comma after semi, : )
@Rugbyanbeer: I would worry about who will get pulled off to accommodate their semi, rest :o
The quality on that Leinster bench alone…. Wow.
@Kenjo: must admit that’s pretty mean bench alright.
@Kenjo: Wow is right
Great to see Boyle starting. Hopefully he will do a good job and provide us with an alternative to Porter who needs rest.
Hugo Keenan’s injury has simplified some of the debate around Jordie Barrett so I am surprised he is not starting. Clearly they want to ease him in but he will probably start at FB next week. Surprised Jimmy O’Brien is not starting FB but that is enforced due to Lowe’s injury. This is the beauty of having such a deep squad with a couple of flexible players like Frawls & Jordie Barrett. And it also made it easier for Leo to pick SP at 10 without creating a narrative that SP is now first choice. Takes a unique type of man management to get that right and it is why I think he is still the right man for the job.
@Paul Ennis: It helps that he has in excess of 20 internationals who are from Leinster or came through the Leinster academy (Doris). Lowe and JPG are in Leinster a long time also. Barrett, RG and Slimani are the only real outsiders.
@Paul Ennis: JOB is a good enough full back but he’s several levels above that as a winger. In a straight shootout I’d probably have Frawley ahead of for 15 anyway – longer boot and better playmaker.
Won’t be easy but hopefully big impact bench will see out a win! COYBIB!
Be interesting to see how Leinster’s lineout functions with Ryan running it.
Impact off the bench will absolutely be needed. That Bristol side is flying at the moment playing some great rugby.
IRFU completely undermined all of the provinces with the timing of the Australia game. I get “national team first” and the provinces are an afterthought, but this is how the WRU acted for years and Welsh rugby is now suffering because of it
@teuO6nLS: according to you it will be clockwork with Ryan at the helm. He is a deity in your eyes.
No one person runs a line out you absolute tool – sum of parts. Keep up the bolloxolgy, top class rubbish as usual.
@JJB: That is a massive over reaction, to a genuine question and concern… let’s see how it goes. Mostly the same parts at Leinster (except Beirne). Leinster have not been perfect this season at lineout time, but nowhere nearly as bad as Ireland with the same hoo-kers and mostly the same pack. There is 100% a system issue in Ireland… the question JBB is asking (as far as I can make out) is will James Ryan’s calls for Leinster work better than the calls to (mostly) the same players for Ireland? You stated that “he is a deity in your eyes”. This suggests to me that you have a problem with another person being an admirer of James Ryan. Why is this? He is a fabulous, if imperfect player. He works hard and Ireland are lucky to have 3 world class locks right now!
@Paul Ennis: Jp Ke has form here in denigrating all things non Leinster. He continues with the theme (albeit indirectly) which will always prompt a reaction from me. In my eyes this guy is a total tool. Nothing objective to impart only BS. Irish rugby media generally carries a Leinster bias – JP Ke is a by product. Ryan is great, so Is McCarthy as you say. JP strongly concurs but is pissed off a Munster player has the audacity to threaten this duopoly failing to recognise that he is probably the best of the lot. At least that is what the international press think based on readings and selection I see outside the south side media sources. My antipathy is towards the clown aka JP Ke and his prejorative musings over time.
@JJB: I think you need to relax the cacks buddy
@Carmine Lorenzo: not with JP Ke – he has become my antagonist on this platform . A total and absolute bollox prone to fallacious and pejorative comment on a regular basis.
There is no reason why Leinster don’t do the double this season, stacked full of internationals, big money spent on Silami, RG and Barrett. There can be any excuses this season
@Liam23: It’s comments like this that make people think that Leinster supports heads are firmly wedged up their rectum. You’ve won nothing in 6 years so maybe calm down?
@Patrick Kennedy: why do you assume they’re a Leinster supporter? Comments like this get banded about by supporters of other provinces all the time
@Patrick Kennedy: I don’t think Liam23 is a Leinster supporter. Leinster also won the Pro14 in 2012 which is 3 going on 4 years ago.
@Patrick Kennedy: It’s non-leinster supporters that say this lad so maybe check where your own head is wedged before making silly statements. It makes them feel better to set the highest standard so they can diminish achieving it with an “I told you so, sure you had every advantage” or tear into them even more if they fail. Welcome to the internet.
@Liam23: I think there are plenty of reasons why they wont. Most of the speak with a French accent.
@Patrick Kennedy: urc in 2021… but I get the point you are trying to make. However, there are too many comments like this which betray a hatred for everything good about Leinster rugby. If you are going to jump down the throat of 1 over confident or arrogant comment regarding Leinster are you also prepared to attack any ultra negative or anti Leinster comments too?
@Liam23: you are obviously a munster supporter
Should be some game, ALLEZ
Interesting that Conan is captain, especially with former captains Ryan & Ringrose in the XV. I think Leinster – and Ireland – have yet to really find Jonny’s natural successor as captain.
Doris seems a solid bet, if not a screamingly obvious one. Neither Ringrose nor, especially, Ryan seemed especially convincing last season. That insane call at Ravenhill last season by Ryan suggests he is not well suited to the role.
Have just seen the teams for all the provinces. Looks like most Ireland front liners not involved or on bench.
Where’s Ryan Baird?
@Kenjo: my thoughts exactly
@Kenjo: injured
@Kenjo: lads are ye following rugby at all or just following it through comments section. Every week lads complaining Baird isn’t starting when the world and their rugby mother knows he’s injured
@anthony davoren: To be fair, it’s was reported he would be available. However, I am glad he is not being rushed back. Too many careers ruined by concussion
@Kenjo: dublin
@Kenjo: he’s had two failed HIAs in quick succession. Ideally he gets time off until January.
Boyle is the biggest call by Leo in that side. Healy not even on the Bench tells a lot about how valid is his Irish selection, other that Faz completing his coronation as most capped Irish player.
@Des Lamont: True, but also important/vital for both Leinster and Ireland that Boyle given a chance in a CC match
@Des Lamont: If Clarkson hadn’t been given his debut it would probably have been Boyle. It’s one at a time with Farrell. Boyle will come in the 6N
@Des Lamont: Clock in the red, on our own try line, against Argentina, he and McCarthy got over the ball to save our blushes. Don’t think.he was just there for a coronation.
For those not in the know, keep an eye on Ibitoye. The most in form winger in world rugby currently.
@Ray Ridge: Bielle-Biarrey would like a word.
Off the top of my head, a team of players not involved this weekend.. probably missing a few. Crazy strength in depth for Leinster
1. Healy
2. Sheehan
3. Furlong
4. Deeney
5. Baird
6. Penny
7. Conners
8. Culhane
9. Foley
10. H.Byrne
11. Lowe
12. Osborne
13. T O’Brien
14. Russell
15. Kennan
I fear for Bristol here this could get messy
Google Donnacha Callaghan’s reply to a Tommy Bowe question ……
Wats wrong with Keenan
@Gary Galligan: “Hugo Keenan doesn’t feature for Leinster after suffering a suspected wrist injury.”
@Gary Galligan: it’s kinda been headline news since last night that Hugo is probably out until January
@Gary Galligan: Open your eyes
@5sZl1dX2: unnecessary