Head coach Leo Cullen has announced the Leinster team to face the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium in the GUINNESS PRO14 on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm).
Leinster currently lead the Conference B table by three points ahead of the Scarlets, who face Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday. Several internationals have come straight back into the Leinster team following Ireland’s Grand Slam success last weekend.
Luke McGrath has recovered from the knee injury he sustained against the Scarlets last month and will captain the province in Swansea. He is partnered at half-back by fellow former St. Michael’s College pupil Ross Byrne, who is the third top points scorer in this season’s PRO14 with 101 points so far.
Noel Reid, who is just three appearances away from a century of Leinster caps, teams up again with Rory O’Loughlin in midfield, while Joey Carbery, who featured in Ireland’s wins over Italy, Wales, Scotland and England, will start at full-back. Fergus McFadden is selected on the right wing with Barry Daly, who has scored nine tries in the current campaign, on the left.
There is further international experience in the front row to face the Ospreys with Grand Slam winners Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin and Andrew Porter all selected to start. Ross Molony and Scott Fardy form the conference leaders’ second row partnership.
Leinster’s latest centurion, Jordi Murphy, returns at openside flanker, fresh from helping Ireland register a clean sweep of Six Nations victories, with fellow Ireland squad member Jack Conan and Josh Murphy completing the back row trio.
LEINSTER (v Ospreys): Joey Carbery; Fergus McFadden, Rory O’Loughlin, Noel Reid, Barry Daly; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath (capt); Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Andrew Porter, Ross Molony, Scott Fardy, Josh Murphy, Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan.
Replacements: James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Michael Bent, Ian Nagle, Max Deegan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dave Kearney, Adam Byrne.
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