Leinster bring back the big guns as Leo Cullen selects formidable team for Bulls battle
Joe McCarthy is back in the second row for Leinster.
Leo Cullen has recalled a host of his Ireland front-liners for tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table URC clash against the Bulls at the RDS.
Leinster are aiming to increase their four-point lead over the South Africans, and as such, head coach Cullen has named a strong team.
Fresh after helping Ireland retain their Six Nations title, Jordan Larmour and James Lowe come into the back-three, where they are joined by Rob Russell, who will be hoping to continue his fine form this season.
Robbie Henshaw is pressed back into action a week after his wedding, as the Athlone man partners Jamie Osborne in what is an exciting midfield.
Harry Byrne gets the nod ahead of his older brother Ross, and partners captain Luke McGrath at half-back.
Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - March 28th
In the front-row, Cian Healy and Rónan Kelleher come back into the starting XV alongside Micheal Ala'alatoa. Joe McCarthy is another returning Ireland international, as he links up with Ross Molony in the engine room.
Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan make up a formidable all-Ireland back-row.
Cullen has also selected a stacked bench, opting against a 6/2 split in favour of a more conventional five forwards and three backs.
Dan Sheehan, Michael Milne, Tadhg Furlong, Jason Jenkins and Caelan Doris are the five forward replacements, while Ireland duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne will provide backline cover along with Liam Turner.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have included several Springbok stars such as Willie Le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie.
Leinster – J Larmour; R Russell, R Henshaw, J Osborne, J Lowe; H Byrne, L McGrath (capt); C Healy, R Kelleher, M Ala'alatoa; R Molony, J McCarthy; R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan. Reps: D Sheehan, M Milne, T Furlong, J Jenkins, C Doris, J Gibson-Park, R Byrne, L Turner.
Bulls – W Le Roux; K-L Arendse, C Moodie, D Kriel, D Williams; J Goosen, E Papier; G Steenekamp, A van der Merwe, W Louw; R Vermaak, R Nortje (co-capt); M van Staden, E Louw, M Coetzee (co-capt). Reps: J Grobbelaar, S Matanzima, M Smith, R Ludwig, M Gumede, Z Burger, C Smith, H Vorster.
