Dan Sheehan switches position for Leinster as Sam Prendergast misses Munster clash

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has been forced to radically shuffle his deck for the visit of Munster to the Aviva Stadium this weekend in the URC.

There are four changes to the side that defeated Clermont ASM 48-23 in France last weekend. Captain Dan Sheehan moves to No.8 for the first time in his professional career, after injuries to specialist Caelan Doris and, most recently, Jack Conan, which have left Leinster stretched at the back of the scrum.

Curiously, there is no sign of Sam Prendergast in Leo Cullen’s matchday 23, with Joey Carbery starting at 10 in what will be his first start since returning to the province.

Prendergast’s absence comes amid reports that the Ireland fly-half has suffered an arm injury. The 23-year-old was not included on Leinster’s injury update released on Monday, suggesting the issue may have occurred later in the week.

There is also no return for Harry Byrne, who remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from concussion.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Leinster

10:00

24 Oct 26

Munster

All Stats and Data

There is good news at halfback, though. The men in blue have been boosted by the return of Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park for Saturday’s derby. The Ireland scrum-half will make his first appearance of the season.

The 34-year-old’s availability comes as a major boost ahead of one of Leinster’s biggest domestic fixtures, not to mention Ireland as they gear up for the resumption of the Nations Championship in November.

Jamie Osborne comes into the midfield alongside Robbie Henshaw, while Hugo Keenan starts at full-back behind a back three completed by Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien.

Up front, Rónan Kelleher joins Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong in the front row, while Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue their second-row partnership. Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier are named on the flanks with Sheehan completing the back row.

Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov and Thomas Clarkson provide front-row cover from the bench, with Academy out-half Caspar Gabriel included among the replacements alongside Charlie Tector.

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Dan Sheehan (captain).

Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Alex Usanov, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Caspar Gabriel, 23 Charlie Tector.

Munster Rugby: 15 Ben O’Connor, 14 Shay McCarthy, 13 Seán O’Brien, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Charlie O’Shea, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Josh Wycherley, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Fineen Wycherley, 5 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Alex Kendellen, 8 Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: 16 Max Clein, 17 Mark Donnelly, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Seán Edogbo, 20 Brian Gleeson, 21 Ben O’Donovan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Gordon Wood.