Trio of Leinster stars return as Sam Prendergast benched for Bayonne

Sam Prendergast will have to make do with a spot on the bench as Harry Byrne takes the starting ten jersey as Leinster travel to at Stade Jean-Dauger to face Bayonne in the Investec Champions Cup.

Byrne is rewarded after a heroic late showing in last weekend’s dramatic 25-24 victory over La Rochelle in Dublin. The replacement stand-off showed nerves to seal victory with an 80th-minute penalty kick, securing a rare victory over the Ronan O’Gara coached side.

In total head coach Leo Cullen has made eight changes to the starting XV – with RG Snyman, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose among those returning to action.

James Ryan is named to start and will make his 50th appearance in the competition. Snyman returns to the matchday squad for the first time since early December and partners Ryan in the engine room.

In the back row Caelan Doris captains the side once again as he makes his 99th appearance in all competitions for the province. The back row sees Max Deegan come into the side alongside Josh van der Flier, with Doris again selected at No.8.

There is also a new-look front row. Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher and Furlong are all named to start.

In the back three Jimmy O’Brien returns at full-back for his first appearance in over a month. He is joined by Tommy O’Brien and the in-form Joshua Kenny on the wings.

The midfield pairing of Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw is restored, with Ringrose making his first appearance since the opening-round win over Harlequins.

Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half.

On the bench, Dan Sheehan, Jerry Cahir and Thomas Clarkson provide front row cover. Joe McCarthy and Scott Penny are the forward replacements, while Luke McGrath and the aforementioned Prendergast cover the half-back positions.

Rieko Ioane completes the matchday 23.

Ireland team:
15 Jimmy O’Brien
14 Tommy O’Brien
13 Garry Ringrose
12 Robbie Henshaw
11 Joshua Kenny
10 Harry Byrne
9 Jamison Gibson-Park
1 Jack Boyle
2 Rónan Kelleher
3 Tadhg Furlong
4 RG Snyman
5 James Ryan
6 Max Deegan
7 Josh van der Flier
8 Caelan Doris CAPTAIN

Replacements
16 Dan Sheehan
17 Jerry Cahir
18 Thomas Clarkson
19 Joe McCarthy
20 Scott Penny
21 Luke McGrath
22 Sam Prendergast
23 Rieko Ioane