Leinster coach Leo Cullen has backed the starting XV that beat Toulon for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Bègles in Bilbao.
The biggest talking point is the absence of Ireland wing James Lowe, who misses out on the match 23 despite recently returning from injury.
Leinster have instead recalled Tommy O’Brien on the right wing after he recovered from a minor injury, with Rieko Ioane continuing on the left wing and Hugo Keenan at fullback.
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There is a timely boost on the bench with tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and lock Paddy McCarthy both returning from injury.
Leinster are chasing a first Champions Cup title since 2018 after losing recent finals to La Rochelle and Toulouse.
PREVIEW: Leinster out to stop Bordeaux dynasty dream
LEINSTER – 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tom Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Bench: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Diarmuid Mangan, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ciarán Frawley, 23 Jamie Osborne.
Photo: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
The post Leinster leave out Lowe, Furlong returns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Leinster coach Leo Cullen has backed the starting XV that beat Toulon for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Bègles in Bilbao.
The post Leinster leave out Lowe, Furlong returns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
