PRO14 Returns | Leinster v Munster: Line ups, Preview and Stats
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PRO14 rugby returns with a bang following a wait of over five months and, with an abbreviated finish to the 2019/20 season lying ahead, there is plenty at stake in the penultimate round of the regular season before the coveted Final Series.
Now is the quiet before a red and blue storm as arch rivals Munster and Leinster meet at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.
Irish eyes will not be smiling when the teams clash with 141 years of history and tradition behind the fixture fuelling the expected battle.
The previous time the teams met, Leinster took the honours, 13-6, in a bruising encounter at the same venue. The Leinster pack, on the night, was inspiring, exuding wave upon wave of energy and determination which eventually saw them through to a victorious end.
It is hoped that both teams will have no cobwebs lingering in their respective arsenals when they take the field after a lengthy break from the game and will put on a display worthy of the occasion.
Leinster currently enjoy a significant, eight-point lead at the top of Conference A while Muster find themselves in second position in Conference B, just two points behind leaders, Edinburgh.
Tackle, turnover & lineout-steal stats from the last 13 rounds
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Team News
Leinster
Jordan Larmour, Dave Kearney and James Lowe have been selected as the back three with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose in the centre.
Johnny Sexton will captain the team with Luke McGrath alongside him.
In the pack Cian Healy and Andrew Porter start at loosehead and tighthead with Rónan Kelleher at hooker.
Ryan Baird is involved for the first time against Munster having previously played against Ulster (his debut in 2019) and Connacht. It is also his first start in an inter-provincial game. Baird will be joined by Scott Fardy in the second row.
In the back row, Caelan Doris starts at blindside flanker for the first time for Leinster, with Josh van der Flier at openside.
Finally, Jack Conan plays for the first time this season having recovered from an ankle injury picked up at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. His last game for Leinster was last season’s Guinness PRO14 Final.
Munster
It will be Munster’s first game in six months with new signings Damian de Allende and RG Snyman both starting on their debuts.
Shane Daly makes his fifth start at full-back in his 18th appearance for the province with Ireland internationals Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on either flank.
De Allende is partnered in the centres by Chris Farrell with Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs.
James Cronin, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer start in the front row with Snyman and Billy Holland in the engine room.
The side is completed by the back row of captain Peter O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander.
There are five forwards on the bench with Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne and John Ryan providing the front row back-up.
Lock Jean Kleyn and back-row Chris Cloete complete the forward cover.
Craig Casey, Rory Scannell and new signing Matt Gallagher, who is set to make his debut, are the backline replacements.
Line Ups
