Dec 14,2024
Jordie Barrett will get his first Leinster start against Clermont in tomorrow's Champions Cup tie, while Sam Prendergast retains the out-half shirt.
Barrett, who signed from the Hurricanes on a short-term deal at the end of November, made his debut off the bench last weekend and scored a try in the 35-12 win. He takes the place of the injured Ciarán Frawley at full-back.
Prendergast keeps his place at out-half after scoring two tries on Sunday, with Jamison Gibson-Park set to partner him once more.
Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw continue in the centre, with Jimmy O’Brien completing the back line.
Rónan Kelleher has been named at hooker with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan packing down together in the second row.
Meanwhile, Josh van der Flier continues at openside flanker after being named Player of the Autumn Nations Series and Max Deegan takes the number 6 shirt.
There are three academy players, Gus McCarthy, Fintan Gunne and Andrew Osborne, among the replacements.
There is plenty of experience on the bench too, with Cian Healy and Rabah Slimani offering support in the front row with RG Snyman, Jack Conan and Ross Byrne providing the rest of the cover.
Clermont beat Benetton 28-0 in their opening Pool 3 tie.
Leinster: Jordie Barrett; Liam Turner, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Cian Healy, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Jack Conan, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Andrew Osborne.
Elsewhere, Ulster have handed a debut to Zac Ward (above), who joined the squad this season after starring for Ireland Sevens at the Summer Olympics.
He starts against Bordeaux tomorrow (3.15pm) on the wing, and joins Cormac Izuchukwu, Aidan Morgan, Jude Postlethwaite and Werner Kok in making a first Champions Cup appearance at Kingspan Stadium.
Richie Murphy has opted for a fully changed pack from the side thatlost heavily away to Toulouse in the opening round last weekend, with seven Ireland internationals named among the starting forward unit.
Hooker Rob Herring makes his first Ulster start of the campaign and he is joined in the front row by loosehead prop, Eric O'Sullivan, and tighthead Tom O’Toole.
In the second row, Iain Henderson, captains the side on the occasion of his 50th European appearance for Ulster, and is partnered by Kieran Treadwell.
Izuchukwu starts at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney named on the openside. David McCann returns to the matchday XV at number 8.
The half-back partnership of scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and fly-half, Morgan, is retained.
The midfield sees one change from last week, with outside centre Jude Postlethwaite coming in to join Stuart McCloskey.
In the back three, Ward starts on the left wing, with Kok taking the right wing berth and Michael Lowry at full-back.
Academy utility back Rory Telfer is also in line for his senior debut off the bench, while it would also be a maiden Champions Cup appearance for fly-half James Humphreys, if he is called upon.
Dave Shanahan is the other backline option, with John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea providing the forward reinforcements.
The visitors beat Leicester 42-28 at home last weekend.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (capt), Kieran Treadwell; Cormac Izuchukwu , Nick Timoney, David McCann.
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Rory Telfer.
Connacht captain Cian Prendergast (above) has returned for the province's Challenge Cup trip to Perpignan on Sunday, one of nine changes made by head coach Pete Wilkins following last week's win against Zebre Parma.
The back row is the only of the province's Ireland international contingent to return to the line-up, as Wilkins keeps one eye on the Christmas Interpros against Leinster and Ulster in the next two weeks.
Sevens international Chay Mullins keeps his place on the wing following his debut hat-trick last week, with another Olympian, Andrew Smith starting on the left wing, while Santiago Cordero moves to full-back, replacing Shane Jennings.
Jack Carty continues at out-half, with the Connacht record points scorer joined in the half-backs by Matthew Devine, who comes in for Caolin Blade.
Byron Ralston gets his first start of the season at outside centre, while Cathal Forde continues in the 12 shirt, maintaining his 100% attendance record in the Connacht squad in 2024/25.
It's a new front row as Denis Buckley, Eoin de Buitléar and Sam Illo are drafted in, while Joe Joyce returns from injury to partner Darragh Murray at lock.
Prendergast skippers the team from blindside flanker with Seán O'Brien coming in at number 8, and Shamus Hurley-Langton continuing at openside.
On the bench, former Ulster and Edinburgh hooker Adam McBurney is set to make his debut for the province.
Connacht: Santiago Cordero; Chay Mullins, Byron Ralston, Cathal Forde, Andrew Smith; Jack Carty, Matthew Devine; Denis Buckley, Eoin de Buitléar, Sam Illo; Darragh Murray, Joe Joyce; Cian Prendergast (capt), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Seán O'Brien.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Paul Boyle, Ben Murphy, David Hawkshaw, Conor Oliver.
