Rieko Ioane handed first start in much-changed Leinster side

All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane will make his first start for Leinster on Friday night against Leicester Tigers in round two of the Investec Champions Cup at Welford Road.

Ioane is one of seven changes to the starting XV that defeated Harlequins 45-28 in the opening round at the Aviva Stadium, four of which are in the backline.

The centre combination has been changed completely for this contest, with Robbie Henshaw partnering the Kiwi in midfield after Ciarán Frawley and Garry Ringrose started there last week.

The injured Jordan Larmour has been replaced by James Lowe on the wing, while Harry Byrne will start at fly-half this week, with Sam Prendergast on the bench.

Two of the three changes to the pack come in the front-row, with hookers Rónan Kelleher and Dan Sheehan swapping, with Kelleher starting this week. Likewise, Tadhg Furlong will start at tighthead in England’s Midlands, with Thomas Clarkson on the bench.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Leicester

12:00

12 Dec 25

Leinster

All Stats and Data

The final change in the pack sees the return of James Ryan to the starting XV in place of the injured RG Snyman.

Leicester will be looking for their first win in the competition this season, having fallen to La Rochelle in the opening round.

Leinster XV (caps in brackets)
15. Jimmy O’Brien (108)
14. Tommy O’Brien (50)
13. Rieko Ioane (1)
12. Robbie Henshaw (108)
11. James Lowe (94)
10. Harry Byrne (77)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (159)
1. Paddy McCarthy (11)
2. Rónan Kelleher (82)
3. Tadhg Furlong (157)
4. Joe McCarthy (51)
5. James Ryan (98)
6. Jack Conan (167)
7. Josh van der Flier (161)
8. Caelan Doris (95) (c)

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (75)
17. Jack Boyle (33)
18. Thomas Clarkson (64)
19. Diarmuid Mangan (21)
20. Max Deegan (142)
21. Luke McGrath (240)
22. Sam Prendergast (38)
23. Ciarán Frawley (109)