Porter and Ryan return but 2 Ireland stars miss out as Leinster name team for Toulon

Andrew Porter and James Ryan both return to the starting XV as Leinster name their team for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final clash with Toulon at Aviva Stadium.

Ryan is restored to the second row alongside fellow Ireland lock Joe McCarthy, while Porter slots back in at loosehead, a more than welcome boost for Leo Cullen’s side, who are suffering an injury crisis in the position.

Tadhg Furlong is missing from the 15. The tighthead was not considered after failing to recover from the injury he sustained against Benetton, where the prop was forced off after just 27 minutes.

Dan Sheehan captains the front row at hooker with Thomas Clarkson at tighthead in place of Furlong.

There is no place in the matchday 23 for Ireland international Ciarán Frawley, with Leinster opting instead for Sam Prendergast and Jamie Osborne as backline cover.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Leinster

29 - 25

Full-time

Toulon

All Stats and Data

Caelan Doris captains the side from No.8 and is joined in the back row by Jack Conan at blindside and Josh van der Flier at openside.

Jamison Gibson-Park continues at scrum-half with Harry Byrne named at fly-half.

In the backline, Hugo Keenan starts at fullback with Tommy O’Brien on the right wing and Rieko Ioane on the left.

Robbie Henshaw returns at inside centre alongside Garry Ringrose, re-forming Leinster’s proven midfield pairing for the European decider.

The replacements bench includes front-row cover from Rónan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir and French international Rabah Slimani, with Alex Soroka and Scott Penny providing second-row and back-row options.

Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast and Jamie Osborne complete the matchday 23.

Leinster Rugby:
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Jack Conan
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (CAPTAIN)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Harry Byrne
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Tommy O’Brien
15. Hugo Keenan

Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jerry Cahir
18. Rabah Slimani
19. Alex Soroka
20. Scott Penny
21. Luke McGrath
22. Sam Prendergast
23. Jamie Osborne