Joey Carbery to end Leinster exile as Leo Cullen makes 6 changes for Clermont

Leinster’s prodigal son Joey Carbery is set for his first involvement since returning to the province after being named among the replacements for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener away to Clermont Auvergne.

Leo Cullen has made six changes to the side that defeated Cardiff 29-5 in the URC last weekend, with Leinster travelling to Stade Marcel-Michelin for a daunting opening-round fixture against the French club.

Dan Sheehan continues as captain from hooker, while Ireland internationals Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong come into the front row.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are retained in the second row.

There are also changes in the back row, where Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier join Jack Conan, who starts at No.8 for a second consecutive match.

Fintan Gunne gets the nod at scrum-half alongside Sam Prendergast, while Robbie Henshaw returns to the midfield to partner Garry Ringrose.

The back three sees Hugo Keenan continue at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien selected on the wings.

The headline inclusion on the bench is Carbery, who rejoined Leinster during the summer from Bordeaux Begles and is in line for his first appearance since returning to the province.

It will be the first time he’s played for men in blue since 2018.

Academy scrum-half Oliver Coffey and Jamie Osborne provide additional backline cover.

Rónan Kelleher, Alex Usanov and Thomas Clarkson are named as the replacement front row, while Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Scott Penny complete the matchday 23.

Leinster Rugby: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Fintan Gunne; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan (capt), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan.

Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Alex Usanov, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Oliver Coffey, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jamie Osborne.