Leinster v Embra RDS Sat 7.35 Eir/Premier

[Dave Cahill]

The Leinster Rugby team, as sponsored by Bank of Ireland, has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen ahead of tomorrow’s Guinness PRO14 clash at the RDS Arena (Kick Off: 7.35pm – live on eir Sport, with tickets still available at the following LINK).



Cullen has made one positional change from last week as well as bringing in a number of fresh faces to his match day 23.

Jordan Larmour wins his 25th cap for Leinster and moves from the right wing to full back, with Fergus McFadden coming in at 14 and James Lowe also coming in on the left wing.

It’s as you were in the centre with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose again selected as 12 and 13.

Captain Johnny Sexton leads the team on the occasion of his 150th cap for the province, with Luke McGrath in the number nine jersey.

In the pack Cian Healy again starts at loose head prop with James Tracy and Michael Bent coming in to complete the front row.

Devin Toner comes into the second row to partner James Ryan.

In the back row like Larmour, Max Deegan will also win his 25th cap tomorrow in the RDS and he is the only change there with Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan again in the seven and eight jerseys.

On the replacements bench Dan Leavy is in line to make his first appearance of the season having returned from injury.



Leinster Rugby (Leinster caps in brackets)

15. Jordan Larmour (24)
14. Fergus McFadden (171)
13. Garry Ringrose (51)
12. Robbie Henshaw (26)
11. James Lowe (14)
10. Johnny Sexton (149) CAPTAIN
9. Luke McGrath (97)
1. Cian Healy (192)
2. James Tracy (68)
3. Michael Bent (107)
4. Devin Toner (219)
5. James Ryan (16)
6. Max Deegan (24)
7. Josh van der Flier (61)
8. Jack Conan (76)

16. Seán Cronin (155)
17. Peter Dooley (50)
18. Tadhg Furlong (86)
19. Mick Kearney (37)
20. Dan Leavy (54)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (54)
22. Ross Byrne (51)
23. Joe Tomane (3)

Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)

[wixfjord]

[LeinsterLeader]

No Rhys? Wonder did he pick up a knock?

[mildlyinterested]

very strong side.

[wixfjord]

Mad strong team again! We won't be going into Europe undercooked anyway!

Is Rhys injured I wonder?

Nice bit of rotation in the pack.

Interesting to see Deegan at 6 again too. Obviously trying to get him to show some versatility.

[D4surfer]

15. Dougie Fife (110)
14. Jamie Farndale (1)
13. Chris Dean (66)
12. Juan Pablo Socino (1)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (20)
10. Jaco van der Walt (19)
9. Sean Kennedy (62)

1. Allan Dell (47)
2. Ross Ford (181)
3. Simon Berghan (51)
4. Fraser McKenzie (103) CAPTAIN
5. Ben Toolis (91)
6. Luke Hamilton (3)
7. Jamie Ritchie (51)
8. Magnus Bradbury (54)

Replacements: 16. Dave Cherry*; 17. Pierre Schoeman (3); 18. Murray McCallum (40); 19. Callum Hunter-Hill (1); 20. Luke Crosbie (13); 21. Nathan Fowles (59); 22. Simon Hickey (2); 23. James Johnstone (21)

*Edinburgh competitive debut

[LeinsterLeader]

15. Dougie Fife (110)
14. Jamie Farndale (1)
13. Chris Dean (66)
12. Juan Pablo Socino (1)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (20)
10. Jaco van der Walt (19)
9. Sean Kennedy (62)

1. Allan Dell (47)
2. Ross Ford (181)
3. Simon Berghan (51)
4. Fraser McKenzie (103) CAPTAIN
5. Ben Toolis (91)
6. Luke Hamilton (3)
7. Jamie Ritchie (51)
8. Magnus Bradbury (54)

Replacements: 16. Dave Cherry*; 17. Pierre Schoeman (3); 18. Murray McCallum (40); 19. Callum Hunter-Hill (1); 20. Luke Crosbie (13); 21. Nathan Fowles (59); 22. Simon Hickey (2); 23. James Johnstone (21)

*Edinburgh competitive debut

I'm not an expert on Embra so I'm not sure how strong that team is but it hugely changed from the side that faced Conn last week

[wixfjord]

No Kinghorn, Pyrgos, Scott or Johnstone. No McInally or Nel. All started last week and would likely be regarded as first choice.

I think it's strong enough in pack but a bit weakened in backline. Hickey has looked good when I've seen him so glad he's not starting.

Should be a good battle up front. Michael Bent will have his work cut out against Alan 'Lions LH' Dell.

[TrapperChamonix]

If you had to invent a name for a Scottish rugby player, you couldn't do better than "Dougie Fife"

[D4surfer]

Should be a good battle up front. Michael Bent will have his work cut out against Alan 'Lions LH' Dell.

In fairness, Bent doesn't often have the likes of Toner and Ryan behind him in the scrum. I actually think he's very solid.

[wixfjord]

Should be a good battle up front. Michael Bent will have his work cut out against Alan 'Lions LH' Dell.

In fairness, Bent doesn't often have the likes of Toner and Ryan behind him in the scrum. I actually think he's very solid.

I was being facetious there, I'm a huge fan of Mickey B.
No idea how Dell is a Lion, he's awful.

[joooooe]

Dev to go outright 3rd on the list of all time Leinster appearances by winning his 220th cap, passing Leo Cullen.

He could catch Jamie Heaslip (229) this season but has a way to go to match Gordon D'Arcy's 257 appearances.

[lotmc]

That's a very strong Leinster squad.

Interesting that James Lowe is the only NIQ in the starting 15, and he becomes IQ in 2 years. 13 of the starting 15 are capped senior Irish international players (Deegan only capped at U20 level so far).

These really are special times for Leinster supporters.

[Cianostays]

That's a great backline. Really looking forward to this.

Sent from my SM-G531F using Tapatalk

[limecat]

Match Preview

Last week's match against the Dragons went pretty much as expected for Leinster. A bit scrappy and rusty in the first half but when Leinster kicked on they blew them away. Tomorrow evening's game is unlikely to be a similar cakewalk though.

Read more...

[jimbobjoe]

Dev to go outright 3rd on the list of all time Leinster appearances by winning his 220th cap, passing Leo Cullen.

He could catch Jamie Heaslip (229) this season but has a way to go to match Gordon D'Arcy's 257 appearances.

Wow.. With his 60 caps for Ireland too that's some serious mileage and plenty more to come hopefully.

[arsebiscuits1]

Dev to go outright 3rd on the list of all time Leinster appearances by winning his 220th cap, passing Leo Cullen.

He could catch Jamie Heaslip (229) this season but has a way to go to match Gordon D'Arcy's 257 appearances.

Wow.. With his 60 caps for Ireland too that's some serious mileage and plenty more to come hopefully.

Only just turned 32. Surely (touch wood please god) he can get at least another 3 full seasons of professional rugby. Usually gets 15-20 games a season with Leinster.

Stands a good chance at overtaking Darce

[blockhead]

Yes, if things go right, Dev will break all kinds of appearance records, and may end up as the most decorated player in Irish history too. He can't be too far behind Rob as it stands.

[Keith]

Quick one lads, does anyone know a good spot to watch the Leinster games in Toronto?

[wixfjord]

Luke McGrath's passing very rusty.

Mick K has been good since he has come on.