LEO CULLEN HAS made five changes to the Leinster team that lost to Glasgow Warriors, as the province face the Sharks in the URC on Saturday in the RDS Arena (KO: 4:55pm, RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 1).
There are two changes in the backline, with Jamie Osborne and Cormac Foley coming into the starting lineup.
In the forwards, Michael Ala’alatoa returns to the team for his first appearance since starring for Samoa in the Rugby World Cup. Lee Barron and Rhys Ruddock also come into the pack.
Ciarán Frawley starts at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour on the wings. Osborne joins Charlie Ngatai in the centre, with Harry Byrne and Foley completing the back line.
In the pack, Jack Boyle starts alongside Barron and Ala’alatoa in the front row. Ross Molony and Jason Jenkins retain their places in the second row with Ruddock, captain Scott Penny and Max Deegan – making his 100th Leinster appearance – in the back row.
Among the replacements, Clontarf hooker Dylan Donnellan is in line to make his Leinster debut, while Paddy McCarthy, Rory McGuire, Ben Murphy and Sam Prendergast look set to play for Leinster in the RDS for the first time.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks team to tackle Leinster in our second game of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship 🦈
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) October 27, 2023
Full article: https://t.co/Spz8nH2W0I#FearTheFin @Vodacom #URC #LEIvSHA pic.twitter.com/H5RX5H9JoG
Leinster:
- 15. Ciarán Frawley
- 14. Tommy O’Brien
- 13. Jamie Osborne
- 12. Charlie Ngatai
- 11. Jordan Larmour
- 10. Harry Byrne
- 9. Cormac Foley
- 1. Jack Boyle
- 2. Lee Barron
- 3. Michael Ala’alatoa
- 4. Ross Molony
- 5. Jason Jenkins
- 6. Rhys Ruddock
- 7. Scott Penny (capt)
- 8. Max Deegan
Replacements:
- 16. Dylan Donnellan
- 17. Paddy McCarthy
- 18. Rory McGuire
- 19. Brian Deeny
- 20. Will Connors
- 21. Ben Murphy
- 22. Sam Prendergast
- 23. Rob Russell
Ref: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
Big season for Osborne, I wonder can he put pressure on Henshaw forward the 12 shirt.
@Hud Hastings: Think people forget just how good Henshaw is when he’s fully fit..
Another difficult game in store. Some big name players really need to step it up after terrible performances last week. The likes of Jenkins, Laramour, Harry, Penny, Molony & Deegan need strong performance. It was these guys more than the youngsters who let the side down last week.
Gonna be an interesting 1st season without Sexton but I’m excited to see how this backline develops. Cullen seems happy to mix up the positions so it’d be great to see an attack with multiple playmakers develop akin to NZ. They’re still young but between Frawley, Osborne, HB, Prendergast etc there is massive potential.
Technically a second season without Sexton. He did not play one game for is last season.
Looking like another loss,no reason why some of our world cup squad cant in included,munster have
@David Clarke: Who have Munster included?
@David Clarke: it’s another long season. The players deserve a rest
@David Clarke: Incorrect. Munster do not have any RWC players back yet and won’t for at least another week.
@David Clarke: Is that an old record you’re playing there and not a more recent one with the actual team? LOL ;0)
However, playing Frawley at 15 is not a good call. Play him at centre besides Osborne.
@David Clarke: No they haven’t.
@David Clarke: don’t look. This is a squad of 23 leinster players. They have earned this selection and deserve a shot.
@David Clarke: Where are you getting it from, not looking like another loss at all. LEINSTER by 10+ and the bookies are saying 15+.
@David Clarke: doubt it going to take some time for the sharks to find their feet with plumtree.. Nor anywhere good enough at the mo…
Maximus 100 are you not entertained?
Congratulations