JORDAN LARMOUR HAS earned the nod to start in the 15 shirt for Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup clash away to Northampton tomorrow. (kick-off 1pm, Virgin Sport and Channel 4).
Veteran fullback Rob Kearney is named among the replacements, while his brother Dave starts on the wing as one of the five changes made to the side that ground out a win away to Lyon a fortnight ago.
Andrew Porter and number 8 Caelan Doris are among the changes, with Tadhg Furlong, Scott Fardy, Max Deegan and Luke McGrath held in reserve.
Jamison Gibson-Park partners captain Jonathan Sexton at half-back while Devin Toner is in the second row next to James Ryan.
Northampton Saints
15. Ahsee Tuala
14. Tom Collins
13. Matt Proctor
12. Rory Hutchinson
11. Taqele Naiyaravoro
10. Dan Biggar
9. Cobus Reinach
1. Alex Waller Capt
2. Mikey Haywood
3. Ehren Painter
4. Alex Moon
5. Api Ratuniyarawa
6. Tom Wood
7. Jamie Gibson
8. Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16. Michael Van Vuuren
17. Francois van Wyk
18. Paul Hill
19. Alex Coles
20. Lewis Ludlam
21. Connor Tupai
22. James Grayson
23. Piers Francis
Leinster
15. Jordan Larmour
14. Dave Kearney
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Johnny Sexton Capt
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Andrew Porter
4. Devin Toner
5. James Ryan
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements
16. James Tracy
17. Ed Byrne
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Scott Fardy
20. Max Deegan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ross Byrne
23. Rob Kearney
If any player can deal with the pressure of being captain it’s this guy!
He is one dangerous looking man in that photo. I’m not sure if he should be made captain yet. Have a 6 nations run first maybe.
…..there will be a ‘changing of the guard’ needed in Irish rugby soon with some brilliant players who have served the cause well put out to pasture. Rightly it should be sooner rather than later. . Can see AF giving himself a couple of games, even a full 6N, to position his squad for the inevitable heave that has to come.At that point putting young Ryan in charge should be considered.
@Michael Murray: Hopefully we will all recognise the necessary rebuilding process for what it is and accept a fee bad results in the 6 Nations along the way.
I have my doubts. These pages can make for harsh criticism at times.
@Paul Ennis: ….agree and ill-informed criticism at that.