Leinster make 8 changes to XV as they look to rebound in URC play-offs

Leo Cullen has made eight changes to his Leinster XV for their United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Lions from the side that were beaten by Bordeaux-Begles in the Investec Champions Cup final on Saturday.

Off the back of a 41-19 defeat in Bilbao, there have been three changes in the pack and a further five changes to the backline.

Tadhg Furlong is set to start this match at tighthead, swapping roles with Thomas Clarkson, while flankers Max Deegan and Scott Penny will start on this occasion. The changes to the back-row mean Jack Conan drops out of the squad, with Josh van der Flier on the bench.

The two survivors in the backline are full-back Hugo Keenan and Rieko Ioane, who will shift to the midfield this week after starting on the wing in Spain. He will replace Garry Ringrose at outside centre, while Jamie Osborne will start at No.12 in place of Robbie Henshaw.

The half-backs have been replaced for this encounter, with the departing Luke McGrath partnering Sam Prendergast, meaning Jamison Gibson-Park and Harry Byrne have joined the substitutes.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Leinster

12:00

30 May 26

Lions

All Stats and Data

After facing a late fitness test to make the final, and scoring minutes into the contest, winger Tommy O’Brien is out of the squad again, with Jimmy O’Brien taking his place.

The final change to the squad will see James Lowe return to the left wing to make his 100th appearance after missing the final.

Leinster XV: Hugo Keenan (83), Jimmy O’Brien (118), Rieko Ioane (15), Jamie Osborne (74), James Lowe (99), Sam Prendergast (49), Luke McGrath (254); Andrew Porter (148), Dan Sheehan (87), Tadhg Furlong (166), Joe McCarthy (63), James Ryan (109), Max Deegan (158), Scott Penny (105), Caelan Doris (106, capt)
Replacements: Gus McCarthy (29), Alex Usanov (7), Thomas Clarkson (77), Diarmuid Mangan (28), Josh van der Flier (173), Jamison Gibson-Park (171), Harry Byrne (91), Robbie Henshaw (121)