Ed Byrne captains Leinster against Vodacom Bulls

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Vodacom Bulls in Round 18 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday afternoon, has been named (KO: 3pm Irish time – live on TG4, Premier Sports and URC TV).

Ed Byrne captains the team for the game in Loftus Versfeld, that sees five changes from last week’s win over Emirates Lions.

The backline remains unchanged from the win in Johannesburg. Chris Cosgrave starts at full-back, with Dave Kearney and Tommy O’Brien on the wings.

In the centre, Liam Turner is joined by Ben Brownlee, with Sam Prendergast and Nick McCarthy forming the half-back partnership once more.

The front row is fully changed from last week, with hooker Tadgh McElroy making his first Leinster start. Byrne and Thomas Clarkson will pack down either side of McElroy in the front row.

Brian Deeny and Alex Soroka are named in the second row, with Soroka making his first start of the season.

James Culhane is set to make his first Leinster start, where he will be joined in the backrow by Will Connors and Max Deegan.

On the bench, Liam Molony and Conor O’Tighearnaigh are in line to make their Leinster debuts, while Temi Lasisi is set for his first appearance of the season.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Chris Cosgrave (6)
14. Tommy O’Brien (22)
13. Liam Turner (17)
12. Ben Brownlee (3)
11. Dave Kearney (183)
10. Sam Prendergast (1)
9. Nick McCarthy (60)
1. Ed Byrne (95) CAPTAIN
2. Tadgh McElroy (3)
3. Thomas Clarkson (25)
4. Alex Soroka (8)
5. Brian Deeny (12)
6. James Culhane (2)
7. Will Connors (34)
8. Max Deegan (95)

16. Lee Barron (6)
17. Michael Milne (29)
18. Temi Lasisi (1)
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (0)
20. Liam Molony (0)
21. Ben Murphy (2)
22. Charlie Tector (6)
23. Rob Russell (17)

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)