Leinster hit by several injuries ahead of crucial Toulouse test

Leinster have been dealt a blow with several of their front line players absent for their crunch Heineken Champions Cup clash with Toulouse.

The defending champions must secure a win to give them a chance of finishing top of pool 1. They currently trail the French club by two points.

But Leinster will have to do without their talismanic outhalf Johnny Sexton, with Ross Bryne slotting in at 10.

The backline has also been shorn of Ireland duo Robbie Henshaw and Rob Kearney. In the pack second row Devin Toner also misses out.

Jordan Larmour starts in the number 15 jersey with Adam Byrne on the right wing and Dave Kearney on the left.

Rory O’Loughlin and Garry Ringrose are again the centre partnership having played together in the Munster game over Christmas.

In the half backs Luke McGrath is partnered with Ross Byrne.

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The front row sees Cian Healy, Seán Cronin and Tadhg Furlong scrum down with Scott Fardy and James Ryan behind in the engine room.

The back row features captain Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan at No. 8.

On the bench Conor O’Brien is in line to make his European debut having impressed over the last few months in the Guinness PRO14.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Jordan Larmour (31)
14. Adam Byrne (46)
13. Garry Ringrose (58)
12. Rory O’Loughlin (52)
11. Dave Kearney (128)
10. Ross Byrne (60)
9. Luke McGrath (105)
1. Cian Healy (200)
2. Sean Cronin (164)
3. Tadhg Furlong (94)
4. Scott Fardy (33)
5. James Ryan (24)
6. Rhys Ruddock (153) CAPTAIN
7. Josh van der Flier (69)
8. Jack Conan (83)

16. James Tracy (81)
17. Ed Byrne (34)
18. Andrew Porter (43)
19. Ross Molony (76)
20. Max Deegan (No 8)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (63)
22. Noel Reid (111)
23. Conor O’Brien (10)

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