Leinster make just one change for Exeter Chiefs clash

Josh van der Flier has come into the starting 15 to take the place of injured Rhys Ruddock

Josh van der Flier will start for Leinster in their Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs. Photo: Bryan Keane/Inpho
Josh van der Flier will start for Leinster in their Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs. Photo: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Josh van der Flier will come into the Leinster team to replace the injured Rhys Ruddock for their Champions Cup Pool Three clash with Exeter Chiefs at Lansdowne Road on Saturday (kick off: 3.15pm - live on eir Sports & Newstalk).

Ruddock was replaced early in the second half last week after suffering a hamstring injury and the man who came on in his place – van der Flier – is the only new face in the Leinster starting lineup from the side that won 18-8 at Sandy Park.

The change means that Seán O’Brien will go to the blindside with van der Flier taking the number seven jersey.

Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden and captain Isa Nacewa are the back three with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose again partnered in midfield.

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In the half backs Luke McGrath and Johnny Sexton will again start at nine and ten.

In the pack Cian Healy, Seán Cronin and Tadhg Furlong form an all-Irish front row, with Devin Toner and Scott Fardy behind them.

The back row sees O'Brien and van der Flier joined by try scorer from last week, Jack Conan.

On the bench there are two changes with Andrew Porter in line to make his Champions Cup debut should he be introduced, while Dan Leavy has shaken off a hamstring injury to take his place in the match day 23.

Leinster Rugby have confirmed that with 40,000 tickets sold, the remaining tickets can still be bought at leinsterrugby.ie or on match day from the Ticketmaster van on Lansdowne Road.

LEINSTER: Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Isa Nacewa (c), Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Seán Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy, Seán O'Brien, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour.