After the Captain’s Run in UCD this morning, Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor has announced his team to face provincial rivals Munster at Thomond Park on St. Stephen’s Day (kick-off 5pm).
Richardt Strauss will join the Leinster Rugby centurion club as he pulls on the jersey for the 100th time since making his debut in February 2010 against the Scarlets. Strauss is one of six changes in personnel announced by head coach Matt O’Connor, who has also made some positional switches.
Michael Bent and Tadhg Furlong complete the front row with hooker Strauss, but Mike McCarthy will lock down behind the trio with Australian international Kane Douglas beside him in the second row.
In the back row, with Kevin McLaughlin out injured, Dominic Ryan comes in for his 11th start in 12 games so far this season.
Shane Jennings has shown no ill-effects from the game last week against Connacht, his first since injuring his hamstring against the same opposition in September, and captains the side from openside flanker. Jack Conan (pictured below) completes the back row.
There are two personnel changes in the backs with Darragh Fanning and Gordon D’Arcy coming in from the start. Zane Kirchner moves to full-back in place of Rob Kearney, with the latter’s younger brother Dave continuing on the left wing.
Wexford man D’Arcy comes straight back in at inside centre with fellow international Luke Fitzgerald continuing in the number 13 jersey outside him.
Ian Madigan, who is selected at half-back alongside Isaac Boss, will wear the number 10 shirt for the first time since his man-of-the-match performance away to Zebre in October.
LEINSTER (v Munster): Zane Kirchner; Darragh Fanning, Luke Fitzgerald, Gordon D’Arcy, Dave Kearney; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Michael Bent, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong, Mike McCarthy, Kane Douglas, Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings (capt), Jack Conan.
Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Maks van Dyk, Jamie Hagan, Tom Denton, Jordi Murphy, Luke McGrath, Jimmy Gopperth, Noel Reid.
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