O’Brien And Larmour Return For Leinster’s Final Home Game Of Regular Season

Leo Cullen is able to welcome back a number of players from injury for Saturday’s clash as his side looks to cement their place at the top of Conference B. With two games remaining, Leinster have a four-point cushion over nearest rivals, the Scarlets, with a home semi-final the prize for the team that finishes top after 21 rounds of PRO14 action.

Ireland international Jack McGrath will captain the province from loosehead, with Richardt Strauss at hooker and Andrew Porter selected at tighthead. Behind them, Ross Molony and Ian Nagle form the second row combination.

There is a welcome return for Sean O’Brien from a shoulder injury picked up against the Scarlets last month. Joining him in the back row are Jordi Murphy and the in-form Max Deegan, who was a try-scoring man-of-the-match against Zebre last weekend.

In the backs, Jordan Larmour makes his first appearance for Leinster since appearing off the bench for Ireland in the Grand Slam decider against England last month. The St. Mary’s College clubman has recovered from a calf injury and makes his 17th appearance of the season from full-back.

Fergus McFadden and Barry Daly occupy the right and left wing berths with Noel Reid and Rory O’Loughlin linking up together in the centre. Jamison Gibson-Park is joined at half-back by Joey Carbery who is set for his first start of the season in the number 10 jersey. Tickets for Leinster’s last home fixture of the PRO14 regular season are still on sale online here.

LEINSTER (v Benetton Rugby): Jordan Larmour; Fergus McFadden, Rory O’Loughlin, Noel Reid, Barry Daly; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack McGrath (capt), Richardt Strauss, Andrew Porter, Ross Molony, Ian Nagle, Jordi Murphy, Sean O’Brien, Max Deegan.

Replacements: James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Michael Bent, Mick Kearney, Peadar Timmins, Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, Adam Byrne.