Conan To Win 50th Cap In Leinster Colours
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced the team to take on Ulster in Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO12 final round tie at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm).
Only four players start from the side that accounted for the Glasgow Warriors last weekend, although Jack Conan, who was pulled from the original line-up due to a tight calf, is again selected at number 8.
Captain Isa Nacewa comes in at full-back with Fergus McFadden and Adam Byrne both retained on the left and right wing respectively. Byrne was one of the main winners from the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball last week, receiving the Irish Independent Try of the Season award for his effort against Montpellier at the RDS in the Champions Cup.
Noel Reid and Garry Ringrose come back into the centre with Ireland internationals Luke McGrath and Joey Carbery likewise returning to don the number 9 and 10 jerseys. This will be their first run-outs since McGrath and Carbery, who kicked the match-winning penalty against Glasgow, were crowned the province’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year respectively.
In the pack, 2017 Lions props Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong come in on either side of the retained James Tracy, with Devin Toner and Hayden Triggs both recalled to the second row.
In the back row Rhys Ruddock comes in for the injured Dominic Ryan who is ruled out with a bicep injury. Josh van der Flier is again selected at openside flanker with the aforementioned Conan set to win his 50th Leinster cap.
LEINSTER (v Ulster): Isa Nacewa (capt); Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Noel Reid, Fergus McFadden; Joey Carbery, Luke McGrath; Jack McGrath, James Tracy, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Hayden Triggs, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Ross Molony, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson Park, Ross Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin.