URC quarter-final: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors, RDS, Saturday, 3.15 - Live on RTÉ & Premier Sports
Injuries have informed the composition of the Leinster backline as Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Johnny Sexton were all ruled out of the United Rugby Championship quarter-final, their absence highlighting a physical legacy to accompany the disappointment of losing the Champions Cup final to La Rochelle.
Jimmy O’Brien switches to fullback, Jordan Larmour is named on the right wing, Rory O’Loughlin on the left while Ciarán Frawley will partner Garry Ringrose in the centre, as Leinster’s outstanding back in Marseilles, Robbie Henshaw, drops to the bench. Ross Byrne joins Jamison Gibson-Park at halfback.
Up front there are three changes to the pack, Dan Sheehan starts at hooker, Joe McCarthy partners captain, James Ryan in the second row while Ryan Baird is named at blindside flanker with Caelan Doris moving to number eight. Jack Conan is named among the replacements.
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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said that despite the acute frustration and disappointment within the squad there is a resolution that the group will do everything to win a fifth straight league title.
“Some guys haven’t experienced a huge amount of success and they are desperate for it. The drive is there and if anything after the weekend it’s stronger than ever. But this week has been about trying to learn some harsh enough lessons from the game and improve as a group and move forward. We’re all keen to get going now at this point and just get back into that routine of playing.
“But it’s going to be a tough challenge. Glasgow are a good team, a niggly type of team as well, and we need to make sure we’re in the right head space for the game because it’s a great challenge and hopefully we have a big crowd to cheer the guys on. It’s on to the next challenge, isn’t it?”
Glasgow can boast a match-day 23 with 17 internationals and some excellent young prospects but anything other than a Leinster win would be a major surprise.
LEINSTER: J O’Brien; J Larmour, G Ringrose, C Frawley, R O’Loughlin; R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, J Ryan (capt); R Baird, J van der Flier, C Doris.
Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy, M Ala’alatoa, R Molony, J Conan, L McGrath, H Byrne, R Henshaw.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: O Smith; J McKay, S Tuipulotu, S Johnson, R McLean; R Thompson, A Price; J Bhatti, G Turner, Z Fagerson; R Harley, R Gray; R Wilson (capt), G Brown, J Dempsey.
Replacements: F Brown, O Kebble, S Berghan, L Bean, K McDonald, T Gordon, G Horne, D Miotti.
Referee: A Piardi (Italy)
