Lion to make first Leinster start since October as Cullen swings axe

Ireland loosehead Andrew Porter’s return from injury headlines a heavily changed Leinster side to face Scarlets in the URC tomorrow night at the Aviva Stadium.

Head coach Leo Cullen swings the axe, making 12 personnel changes from the group humbled 38-17 in Glasgow last weekend.

British & Irish Lions tourist Jamie Osborne is set for his first provincial start since October despite featuring prominently for Ireland during the Six Nations.

Porter is named for his first appearance since the win over Connacht on 3 January. He packs down alongside Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, which remarkably is the first time this season the trio have appeared together since starting the final two Tests for the British and Irish Lions last summer.

Brian Deeny and Joe McCarthy form the second row. Behind them No.8 and skipper Caelan Doris is joined in the back row by Max Deegan and Josh van der Flier. There’s no sign of RG Snyman, who limped off injured against Glasgow but who had been listed for further assessment earlier this week.

Harry Byrne partners Jamison Gibson-Park at half-back.

Garry Ringrose lines out in midfield with Osborne, who returns for his first Leinster outing in nearly six months since featuring against Munster. He started regularly for Ireland during the 2026 Six Nations at fullback, but returns to Leinster in the inside centre role.

Jimmy O’Brien shifts to full-back, while in-form rookie Joshua Kenny swaps wings, with Tommy O’Brien coming in to wear 14. Hugo Keenan, who made a try scoring return in the defeat to Glasgow, drops out of the 23.

Gus McCarthy, Jerry Cahir and Rabah Slimani cover the front row from the bench. Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka named as the other forward options. Fintan Gunne and Sam Prendergast provide the half-back reinforcements, while Robbie Henshaw completes the matchday squad.

Aimee Barrett-Theron referees.

LEINSTER: 15. Jimmy O’Brien 14. Tommy O’Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Jamie Osborne 11. Joshua Kenny 10. Harry Byrne 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Joe McCarthy 5. Brian Deeny 6. Max Deegan 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris

REPLACEMENTS: Gus McCarthy 17. Jerry Cahir 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh 20. Alex Soroka 21. Fintan Gunne 22. Sam Prendergast 23. Robbie Henshaw