Leinster team named for La Rochelle match

The Leinster Rugby team to take on La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup Quarter-Final tomorrow evening at the Aviva Stadium has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen.

Caelan Doris captains the team once more, as there are two changes from the pack, that defeated Leicester Tigers last weekend.

Jason Jenkins and Will Connors both come into the starting lineup, with Ross Molony and Josh van der Flier moving into the replacements.

The backline remains unchanged, with Hugo Keenan starting at full-back. Jordan Larmour and James Lowe are named on the wing.

Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne form the centre partnership once more, with Ross Byrne and last week’s hat-trick hero Jamison Gibson-Park linking up at half-back.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and Jenkins in the second row.

Connors plays in Europe for the first time since the opening round against La Rochelle in December. He is joined by Ryan Baird and Doris.

Among the replacements, Michael Milne and Luke McGrath come into the matchday 23, in place of Cian Healy and Ben Murphy.

Speaking ahead of the game, Senior Coach Jacques Nienaber said he’s expecting a tough match from the French side.

“There is a bunch of internationals there. If you look at their spine, their not all French internationals either. They have players that understand pressure and know how to perform under it.”

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Hugo Keenan (64)
14. Jordan Larmour (102)
13. Robbie Henshaw (86)
12. Jamie Osborne (41)
11. James Lowe (76)
10. Ross Byrne (156)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (136)

1. Andrew Porter (116)
2. Dan Sheehan (57)
3. Tadhg Furlong (141)
4. Joe McCarthy (30)
5. Jason Jenkins (33)
6. Ryan Baird (64)
7. Will Connors (46)
8. Caelan Doris (77) CAPTAIN

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (57)
17. Michael Milne (35)
18. Michael Ala’alatoa (63)
19. Ross Molony (176)
20. Jack Conan (141)
21. Luke McGrath (205)
22. Ciarán Frawley (81)
23. Josh van der Flier (137)

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)