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Leo Cullen swings Leinster selection axe for first home game of URC season
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Leo Cullen has rung the changes for Leinster’s first home game of the new URC season, naming an entirely changed starting XV for Saturday’s visit of Cardiff.
The Irish province are still seeking their first win of the season after two losses on the bounce in their tour of South Africa against the Lions and the Sharks.
None of the players who started against the bonus-point loss in Durban are retained in the run-on side as Cullen rotates his resources.
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A number of frontline internationals are drafted back in for their first URC game at the revamped and renamed Laya Arena.
Hooker Dan Sheehan captains the team and is flanked in the front row by Alex Usanov and Tadhg Furlong. There is further Test experience in the engine room, where Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are both set for their first appearances of the campaign.
The back row sees Max Deegan and Scott Penny join Ireland star Jack Conan, who starts at No.8.
Behind the pack, Oliver Coffey is handed his first senior start at scrum-half, partnering Sam Prendergast at half-back.
The midfield combination of Jamie Osborne and Garry Ringrose returns, while Jimmy O’Brien and Joshua Kenny are selected on the wings.
Hugo Keenan completes the back three from full-back.
Cullen has also named a decent bench, with Peter Dooley, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Alan Spicer and Josh Ericson among the forward reinforcements.
Academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne, Caspar Gabriel and Robbie Henshaw provide the backline cover.
“We’ve all been talking about getting back to Laya Arena,” said Leinster kicking coach Emmet Farrell.” Obviously, the old RDS had some great nights and we’re looking forward to having some really big nights in Laya Arena.”
Leinster Rugby: Hugo Keenan, Joshua Kenny, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O’Brien, Sam Prendergast, Oliver Coffey; Alex Usanov, Dan Sheehan (CAPT), Tadgh Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Jack Conan
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Peter Dooley, Thomas Clarkson, Alan Spicer, Josh Ericson, Fintan Gunne, Caspar Gabriel, Robbie Henshaw
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