Advertisement
Sean O'Brien starts for Leinster against Ulster tomorrow. INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Kearney, McCarthy and O'Brien return for Leinster, nine changes for Ulster

Six of Mark Anscombe’s seven starting backs are Irish internationals.

LEINSTER COACH MATT O’Connor has retained nine of his side from last week’s game for the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Ulster tomorrow evening at the RDS (kick-off: 6.45pm).

Dave Kearney, Mike McCarthy and Sean O’Brien return to the side, as does Jimmy Gopperth, who comes in for Ian Madigan at fly-half.

Brendan Macken partners Noel Reid in the centre, while Rhys Ruddock takes the place of Kevin McLaughlin.

Zane Kirchner,  Luke Fitzgerald and Isaac Boss, meanwhile, all keep their places.

Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon and Martin Moore are also retained, while Leo Cullen captains the side.

Jordi Murphy, Rhys Ruddock and Sean O’Brien make up the back row, with the latter making only his second PRO12 appearance of the season.

Their opponents, Ulster, have made nine changes from the side that beat Zebre at Ravenhill last weekend.

In the backline, Paul Marshall, Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy all feature, while Ricky Andrew is the only non-Irish international among the contingent, as he starts at fullback.

Callum Black makes his 50th appearance at loosehead, while Rob Herring and Declan Fitzpatrick complete the front three.

Lewis Stevenson and Dan Tuohy start in the second row, as captain Robbie Diack moves to blindside.

In addition, Sean Doyle is at openside, and Roger Wilson returns from injury at number 8.

Tom Court, Ruan Pienaar and Jared Payne, meanwhile, are named among the substitutes.

Leinster: 15: Zane Kirchner 14: Dave Kearney 13: Brendan Macken 12: Noel Reid 11: Luke Fitzgerald 10: Jimmy Gopperth 9: Isaac Boss 1: Michael Bent 2: Aaron Dundon 3: Martin Moore 4: Leo Cullen (Captain) 5: Mike McCarthy 6: Rhys Ruddock 7: Sean O’Brien 8: Jordi Murphy

Replacements: 16: James Tracy 17: Mike Ross 18: Jack O’Connell 19: Tom Denton 20: Dominic Ryan 21: Luke McGrath 22: Ian Madigan 23: Darragh Fanning.

Ulster: (15-9): R Andrew, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, P Marshall; (1-8): C Black, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, R Diack (Captain), S Doyle, R Wilson;

Replacements: N Annett, T Court, R Lutton, N McComb, M McComish, R Pienaar, J Payne, M Allen.

Michael Corcoran: Connacht’s win over Toulouse showed that ‘anything is possible’>

The most jaw-dropping moments of rugby skill in 2013>

Close
Comments
    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.