RG Snyman drafted back into Leinster action with trip to URC strugglers

Leo Cullen has rolled out the changes for Leinster’s trip to Rodney Parade on Friday night with Springbok lock RG Snyman parachuted straight back into provincial duty and academy newcomer Josh Ericson primed for a debut off the bench.

Snyman, fresh from winning his 50th Test cap in South Africa’s win over Ireland, is named among the replacements and looks set for a short turnaround return in Round 6 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The Bok giant played a 31-minute part in the win over Ireland but is now being sent on the altogether less glamorous away trip to Newport as part of a Leinster team stripped of its first line Ireland internationals.

It’s a timely boost for Leinster, who travel with a rotated side but no shortage of heavy artillery in reserve. The Irish heavyweight are looking at getting their season back on track, having registered just two wins from five so far this term.

Ericson has been named on the bench and could win his first appearance less than a fortnight after joining the setup.

Max Deegan captains the team from No.8, flanked by Alex Soroka and Scott Penny in a combative back row.

Brian Deeny and Diarmuid Mangan combine in the second row, while Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson make up a youthful but already battle-tested front row.

Fintan Gunne starts at scrum-half with Harry Byrne steering the attack at 10. Ciarán Frawley and Hugh Cooney line up together in midfield. Out wide, Joshua Kenny gets another crack after his brace against Zebre Parma with Jordan Larmour on the left and Jimmy O’Brien at fullback.

Snyman headlines a bench packed with experience, joined by French international Rabah Slimani and long-serving scrum-half Luke McGrath.

Charlie Tector and Ruben Moloney complete the backline options, with John McKee and Jerry Cahir making up the bench options at Cullen’s disposal.

Leinster Rugby:
15 Jimmy O’Brien
14 Joshua Kenny
13 Hugh Cooney
12 Ciarán Frawley
11 Jordan Larmour
10 Harry Byrne
9 Fintan Gunne
1 Jack Boyle
2 Gus McCarthy
3 Thomas Clarkson
4 Brian Deeny
5 Diarmuid Mangan
6 Alex Soroka
7 Scott Penny
8 Max Deegan CAPTAIN

Replacements:
16 John McKee
17 Jerry Cahir
18 Rabah Slimani
19 RG Snyman
20 Josh Ericson
21 Luke McGrath
22 Charlie Tector
23 Ruben Moloney