Leinster Rugby: Keenan and Healy set for milestones in Gloucester clash
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The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Gloucester Rugby in the Heineken Champions Cup, on Saturday afternoon in Kingsholm, has been named by Leo Cullen (KO: 1pm – live on BT Sport).
Garry Ringrose returns to captain the side, as Hugo Keenan is set to make his 50th appearance for the province.
Off the bench, Cian Healy looks set to make his 100th appearance in Europe, becoming only the fifth player to do so, and second from Leinster, following in the footsteps of Gordon D’Arcy.
Keenan starts at full back, and is joined in back-three by Jordan Larmour and Jimmy O’Brien on the wings. Ringrose is partnered in the centre with Jamie Osborne.
Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park complete the backline at half-back.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Michael Ala’alatoa form the front row.
Ross Molony and James Ryan are paired together in the second row, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris completing the pack.
On the bench, Healy is in line to become a European centurion, while the trio of Michael Milne, Brian Deeny and Liam Turner could all make their European debuts.
Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (49)
14. Jordan Larmour (81)
13. Garry Ringrose (111) CAPTAIN
12. Jamie Osborne (27)
11. Jimmy O’Brien (63)
10. Ross Byrne (141)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (120)
1. Andrew Porter (101)
2. Dan Sheehan (39)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (36)
4. Ross Molony (152)
5. James Ryan (67)
6. Ryan Baird (46)
7. Josh van der Flier (122)
8. Caelan Doris (62)
16. Rónan Kelleher (43)
17. Michael Milne (22)
18. Cian Healy (257)
19. Brian Deeny (6)
20. Jack Conan (125)
21. Nick McCarthy (54)
22. Harry Byrne (40)
23. Liam Turner (11)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)