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Dan Sheehan returns for Leinster ahead of Ireland squad call-up
By Ian Cameron
Dan Sheehan will captain Leinster on his first appearance of the season against the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC) to mark his return from a long-term ACL injury.
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The 27-cap Ireland international suffered the injury in the 28th minute of the 27-20 defeat to world champions South Africa last summer while attempting a tackle on lock Eben Etzebeth.
Sheehan will feature for a new-look Leinster side before joining Simon Easterby’s Ireland squad next week ahead of the Six Nations opener against England, provided he remains unscathed following the contest.
Ireland star James Lowe also returns from injury to make his first Leinster appearance since October. He too will rejoin the Ireland squad following the match.
Elsewhere Henry McErlean is also set to make his first appearance of the season at full-back. Paddy McCarthy is included among the replacements and will hope to register his first minutes of the campaign.
Will Connors has been named on the bench, having recovered from a hamstring issue.
Leinster’s backline features academy duo McErlean and Andrew Osborne alongside the experienced Lowe. Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath start in the half-back pairing, boasting nearly 400 appearances between them.
Jordie Barrett retains the number 12 jersey following last weekend’s 47-21 victory over Bath in the Investec Champions Cup and will be joined in the midfield by Liam Turner.
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In the pack, Rabah Slimani and Max Deegan keep their starting roles. Deegan moves from flanker to number eight. Jack Boyle lines up with Slimani and Sheehan in the front row, while RG Snyman and Brian Deeny start in the second row. Alex Soroka and Scott Penny complete the back row.
The replacements include front row reinforcements John McKee, McCarthy and Rory McGuire. Diarmuid Mangan and James Culhane join Connors on the bench, completing a 6-2 forward-heavy split. Cormac Foley and Charlie Tector provide cover for the backline.
Travel disruptions caused by Storm Éowyn have led to referee Andrea Piardi being replaced by Eoghan Cross for the game.
Leinster
15. Henry McErlean
14. Andrew Osborne
13. Liam Turner
12. Jordie Barrett
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack Boyle
2. Dan Sheehan CAPTAIN
3. Rabah Slimani
4. RG Snyman
5. Brian Deeny
6. Alex Soroka
7. Scott Penny
8. Max Deegan
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Replacements:
16. John McKee
17. Paddy McCarthy
18. Rory McGuire
19. Diarmuid Mangan
20. James Culhane
21. Will Connors
22. Cormac Foley
23. Charlie Tector
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
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