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Investec Champions Cup

Trio of Leinster stars return as Sam Prendergast benched for Bayonne

Ian Cameron

Published: 148 days ago | 16 January 2026 04:55 PST

Sam Prendergast of Leinster during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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.

VIDEO

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

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Comments

3 Comments

Max Imus 148 days ago

“securing a RARE victory over Ronan O'Gara's side”? I’d hardly think four victories in a row is rare.

PC 148 days ago

Anyone know what's happening with Lowe?

Eric Elwood 148 days ago

Solid looking team. The most significant inclusion is Garry Ringrose IMO as the leader of the Nienaber defense in the backline. That means less chances for Bayonne and more turnovers. Will Leinster build on their scores from turnover against LaRochelle?

Obviously Prendergast’s absence will reduce attacking opportunities for Bayonne.

The learnings from LaRochelle will be fascinating. Last week it was 23-3 offloads for LaRochelle. I’d expect Bayonne to have less and Leinster to have more. If Leinster have a similar stat in off loads then they can forget about the Champions League for this year IMO. They won’t make the required metres in phase play, contested kicking and turnovers alone. They need to avoid offensive rucks. They work for 10 mins but as soon as some fatigue arises opponents can easily slow and neutralize Leinster’s phase play.

Snyman will provide a few offloads but some of these must result in line breaks rather than possession thrown back on Leinsters side of the contact are and defensive line.

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