LEINSTER WILL GO to Montpellier for tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup opener (kick-off 17.30, BT Sport) with Jonathan Sexton and James Ryan among their replacements.
Rhys Ruddock captains the side while Ross Byrne slips into the starting 10 shirt, displacing his brother Harry.
The elder Byrne brother is one of five players who will go straight from Ireland camp to the Leinster starting XV, with Cian Healy and Andrew Porter among the six others on Leo Cullen’s bench after their exertions in the international arena.
Ryan Baird and Dan Leavy are also among a replacements bench with a 6-2 split.
Byrne will operate inside versatile playmaker Ciaran Frawley in Montpellier, with Robbie Henshaw at outside centre while Dave Kearney, Hugo Keenan and Jimmy O’Brien make up the back three.
With four of their first-choice tight five on the bench, Peter Dooley starts at loosehead prop alongside James Tracy and Michael Bent. Scott Fardy and Devin Toner pair up in an experienced second row.
Leinster (v Montpellier)
15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Hugo Keenan
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Ciarán Frawley
11. Dave Kearney
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Peter Dooley
2. James Tracy
3. Michael Bent
4. Devin Toner
5. Scott Fardy
6. Rhys Ruddock Capt
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacememts
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. James Ryan
20. Ryan Baird
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Dan Leavy
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COYBIB
Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.
Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose
@gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career
Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game
Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.
Leinster will win
I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week
He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.
Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.
@Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!
@David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch
@Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.
@Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.
Game on great try
It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.
Another trophy the invincibles
Leinster Congratulations
People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.
@Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.
@Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.
Atrocious lineout from Leinster.
Great response.
Brilliant try.
Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!
Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair
Here he comes. The Boss.
Great try …..game over ..joking
Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?
@Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live
Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing
@Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.
SUFTUM
Terrible commentators