Ireland pair return as a 6'10, 138kg giant handed second Leinster cap

Ireland internationals Jimmy O’Brien and Robbie Henshaw return for Leinster ahead of Friday night’s United Rugby Championship trip to Cardiff, while 6ft 10in lock Alan Spicer is handed his second provincial cap.

The 138kg Spicer is seen as a major prospect for the province, although the former Ireland U20 star hasn’t featured for the Leinster senior side since away trip to the Sharks nearly a year ago. The same height and 10kg heavier than Devin Toner, the hulking lock is one of the largest rugby athletes to come out of the Irish professional system.

The 20-year-old partners Brian Deeny in the engine room, with Leinster able to call on the experience of Springbok giant RG Snyman from the bench.

In total head coach Leo Cullen has made six changes to the side that secured a bonus-point win over Edinburgh last month, with Max Deegan captaining the team on what will be his 150th appearance for the province. The in-form Scott Penny, one appearance short of a century for Leinster, and James Culhane join Deegan in the back row.

The front row remains unchanged, with Jerry Cahir and Andrew Sparrow packing down either side of hooker John McKee.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Cardiff Rugby

11:00

27 Feb 26

Leinster

All Stats and Data

In the back three, O’Brien starts at full-back after returning from an injury lay-up, with Joshua Kenny and Ruben Moloney either side of him on the wings. Henshaw, also returning from injury, links up with Rieko Ioane in midfield, while Harry Byrne starts at out-half alongside scrum-half Fintan Gunne.

The return of both Henshaw and O’Brien also adds to Andy Farrell’s selection stocks ahead of next week’s game against Wales.

There is experience among the replacements. Rabah Slimani returns to the matchday 23 for the first time since before Christmas, with Gus McCarthy and Alex Usanov providing front row cover. The aforementioned Snyman and Josh Ericson complete the forward reinforcements, while Luke McGrath, Charlie Tector and Andrew Osborne round out the squad.

Leinster team: 
15 Jimmy O’Brien; 14 Joshua Kenny, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Ruben Moloney; 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Fintan Gunne; 1 Jerry Cahir, 2 John McKee, 3 Andrew Sparrow; 4 Alan Spicer, 5 Brian Deeny; 6 Max Deegan (capt), 7 Scott Penny, 8 James Culhane.

Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Alex Usanov, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Josh Ericson, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Charlie Tector, 23 Andrew Osborne.