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Sexton on the bench, Ryan returns and Ringrose captains Leinster for Pro14 final

Ross Byrne, hero of Leinster’s 2019 Champions Cup quarter-final win over Ulster, starts at 10.

LEINSTER CAPTAIN JONATHAN Sexton will sit among the replacements for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro14 final against Ulster at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 19.35, eir Sport).

Garry Ringrose will lead the hot favourites and defending champions in his absence, despite James Ryan completing a remarkably swift return from injury to start in the second row.

Ross Byrne starts at out-half with Sexton benched and is partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park from the start, giving Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster the option to introduce the the more experienced international half-backs for the latter stage of the game.

Leo Cullen’s side are on a 24-match winning streak that stretches back to May 2019 and the first of two potential trophies is available tomorrow if they can extend their run.

Leinster will go up against Saracens next weekend in the Champions Cup quarter-final, a repeat of last year’s final. Their last defeat.

Outside of the half-backs and Ryan’s return at the expense of Scott Fardy – who is also poised to impact the match from the sideline – Leinster’s fourth change from the win over Munster sees Josh van der Flier resume on the openside will Will Connors swapping onto that impressive line up of replacements.

Leinster (v Ulster, Pro14 final)

15. Jordan Larmour
14. Hugo Keenan
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Cian Healy
2. Ronan Kelleher
3. Andrew Porter
4. Devin Toner
5. James Ryan
6. Caelan Doris
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan

Replacements

16. James Tracy
17. Ed Byrne
18. Michael Bent
19. Scott Fardy
20. Will Connors
21. Luke McGrath
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Rory O’Loughlin

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34 Comments
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    Mute Sean Crowe
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    Sep 12th 2020, 6:55 PM

    COYBIB

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    Mute B Collins
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    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.

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    Mute gabs90
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:05 PM

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

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    Mute T Dawg
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:24 PM

    Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game

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    Mute David
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    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.

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:19 PM

    Leinster will win

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    Mute Marty H
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:35 PM

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

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    Mute Lance Write
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    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.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:22 PM

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

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    Mute David Finn
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    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!

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:57 PM

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

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:30 PM

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

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    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.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:40 PM

    Game on great try

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    Mute Lance Write
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    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.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:24 PM

    Another trophy the invincibles
    Leinster Congratulations

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    Mute Dan Finlay
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    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.

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    Mute Dan Finlay
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:11 PM

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

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    Mute B Collins
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    Sep 12th 2020, 10:42 PM

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

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    Mute Conor HF
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:14 PM

    Atrocious lineout from Leinster.

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:50 PM

    Great response.

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:10 PM

    Brilliant try.

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    Mute Anthony O Connell
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:45 PM

    Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!

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    Mute Andrew Taz Donohoe
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:47 PM

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

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:51 PM

    @Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:56 PM

    Here he comes. The Boss.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:52 PM

    Great try …..game over ..joking

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    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?

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    Mute Donogh O'Laighin
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:04 PM

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

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    Mute Nathan Fulham
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    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

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:27 PM

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

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    Mute Michael Hayes
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:55 PM

    SUFTUM

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    Mute Jimmy Cully
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Terrible commentators

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