Caspar Gabriel starts again as Leinster makes 5 changes for Sharks

Leo Cullen has recalled Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier to his Leinster starting XV for Saturday’s URC Round 2 clash with the Sharks in Durban, while youngster Caspar Gabriel retains the No.10 jersey.

Leinster have made five personnel changes following last weekend’s bonus-point defeat to the Lions, with Van der Flier among the headline inclusions as Cullen looks for an immediate response at Kings Park.

Rónan Kelleher returns to captain the side from hooker, while Thomas Clarkson comes into the front row and Andrew Porter switches across to loosehead.

Ryan Baird also moves into the back row, joining No.8 Josh Ericson and Van der Flier.

Gabriel continues at fly-half after last week’s opening-round outing and will again combine with hat-trick-scoring scrum-half Fintan Gunne. He is preferred over Sam Prendergast, who returns to the squad but has to make do with a place on the bench.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Sharks

09:30

3 Oct 26

Leinster

All Stats and Data

In the backs, Robbie Henshaw is restored at inside centre alongside Hugh Cooney, while Andrew Osborne, Tommy O’Brien and Todd Lawlor form an unchanged back three as Leinster chase their first win of the new campaign.

“We’re looking to evolve [the attack],” said assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal. “We have to work hard at it, and we have to make sure the time we put into it is quality time. So we’re trying to evolve. We’re trying to get better. The game’s evolving. The attack has to evolve now.

“Defence is almost more structured than attack at times, so you have to work out how to break that down. We’re enjoying that process at the moment. It’s definitely not the end product, but we’ve made good strides in the preseason, and we’ll continue to do so.”

The Sharks, for their part, are looking forward to measuring themselves against ‘the best’.

Hollywoodbets Sharks Head Coach JP Pietersen said: “The champions are coming to Durban, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Leinster are one of the best sides in the world, and we have a lot of respect for the threat they bring. But this is our territory and we are ready for the challenge. This week is about measuring ourselves against the best and seeing how far we’ve come as a group.”

Leinster: Todd Lawlor, Tommy O’Brien, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Osborne, Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher (CAPT), Thomas Clarkson, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Alan Spicer, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Josh Ericson

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Niall Smyth, Brian Deeney, Ciarán Mangan, Oliver Coffey, Sam Prendergast, Hugo McLaughlin

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Luan Giliomee, Edwill van der Merwe, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen (CAPT), Lili Bester, Vusi Moyo, Jaden Hendrikse, Thomas du Toit, Esethu Mnebelele, Vincent Koch, Jason Jenkins, Darrien Landsberg, Phepsi Buthelezi, Manu Tshituka, Nick Hatton

Replacements: Ethan Bester, Ox Nche, Hanro Jacobs, Eben Etzebeth, Matt Romao, Ivan van Zyl, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Ethan Hooker