Advertisement
Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Sexton, Ryan on bench as Ross Byrne starts Leinster's Champions Cup opener

Byrne, Robbie Henshaw and Caelan Doris are among the men who jump straight from Ireland duty to the starting Leinster XV.

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

Subscribe to The42 Rugby Weekly podcast here:

Close
28 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Crowe
    Favourite Sean Crowe
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 6:55 PM

    COYBIB

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B Collins
    Favourite B Collins
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:01 PM

    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.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gabs90
    Favourite gabs90
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:05 PM

    Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute T Dawg
    Favourite T Dawg
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rugbyanbeer
    Favourite rugbyanbeer
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:24 PM

    Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David
    Favourite David
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:24 PM

    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.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Just Some Guy
    Favourite Just Some Guy
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:19 PM

    Leinster will win

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marty H
    Favourite Marty H
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:35 PM

    I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lance Write
    Favourite Lance Write
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:12 PM

    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.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:22 PM

    Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Finn
    Favourite David Finn
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:44 PM

    @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!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:57 PM

    @David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch

    9
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Johnston
    Favourite Trevor Johnston
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:30 PM

    @Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    Sep 13th 2020, 9:15 AM

    @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.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rugbyanbeer
    Favourite rugbyanbeer
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:40 PM

    Game on great try

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lance Write
    Favourite Lance Write
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:16 PM

    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.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rugbyanbeer
    Favourite rugbyanbeer
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:24 PM

    Another trophy the invincibles
    Leinster Congratulations

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Finlay
    Favourite Dan Finlay
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:03 PM

    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.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Finlay
    Favourite Dan Finlay
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:11 PM

    @Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B Collins
    Favourite B Collins
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 10:42 PM

    @Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor HF
    Favourite Conor HF
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:14 PM

    Atrocious lineout from Leinster.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David
    Favourite David
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:50 PM

    Great response.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David
    Favourite David
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:10 PM

    Brilliant try.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony O Connell
    Favourite Anthony O Connell
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:45 PM

    Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Taz Donohoe
    Favourite Andrew Taz Donohoe
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:47 PM

    Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Johnston
    Favourite Trevor Johnston
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:51 PM

    @Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David
    Favourite David
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 8:56 PM

    Here he comes. The Boss.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rugbyanbeer
    Favourite rugbyanbeer
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:52 PM

    Great try …..game over ..joking

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
    Favourite Rudiger McMonihan
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:00 PM

    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?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donogh O'Laighin
    Favourite Donogh O'Laighin
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:04 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nathan Fulham
    Favourite Nathan Fulham
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:11 PM

    Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Johnston
    Favourite Trevor Johnston
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:27 PM

    @Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Hayes
    Favourite Michael Hayes
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 7:55 PM

    SUFTUM

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Cully
    Favourite Jimmy Cully
    Report
    Sep 12th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Terrible commentators

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel