Leinster Welcome Back Henshaw For Munster Showdown
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named his team to take on provincial rivals Munster in Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO14 clash at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 2pm).
With ticket sales over 45,000 for the round 6 tie, Leo Cullen has made six personnel changes to the team that accounted for Edinburgh on a 21-13 scoreline at the RDS last Friday night.
Joey Carbery continues at full-back but Adam Byrne comes in on the right wing, with fellow UCD clubman Barry Daly selected on the left for his first ever game at the Aviva Stadium.
There is a seasonal debut for British & Irish Lion Robbie Henshaw, who will line out in the centre alongside Rory O’Loughlin who retains the number 13 jersey. Luke McGrath and captain Jonathan Sexton continue at half-back, with Sexton now only five points away from becoming Leinster’s all-time record points scorer.
Up front, Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong feature at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, either side of returning hooker James Tracy. Behind the all-Ireland international front row, Devin Toner and Scott Fardy continue their partnership in the second row.
There are two changes to the back row from last week as openside flanker Josh van der Flier and number 8 Jack Conan take over from the benched Jordi Murphy and Sean O’Brien (calf) respectively. Rhys Ruddock, Ireland’s summer tour captain, completes the loose forward trio.
With a 2pm kick-off tomorrow there are still some tickets available via leinsterrugby.ie, and a Ticketmaster van will also be in position outside the stadium on Herbert Bridge. Finally, supporters are reminded that no bags (apart from handbags) will be permitted at the Aviva Stadium and handbags will be subject to a search. Read more on the bag policy for Saturday’s interprovincial here.
LEINSTER (v Munster): Joey Carbery; Adam Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin, Robbie Henshaw, Barry Daly; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Jack McGrath, James Tracy, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Jordi Murphy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Fergus McFadden.