Leinster team named to face Sale Sharks in the RDS

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Sale Sharks in Pool 4 of the Investec Champions Cup tomorrow evening in a sold-out RDS Arena has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen (KO: 5:30pm, live on RTÉ2, TNT Sports 1 and Newstalk).

Garry Ringrose and James Ryan co-captain the team once more, as Thomas Clarkson makes his European debut, having been part of the matchday squad last weekend.

The back three is unchanged from last weekend’s win in La Rochelle. Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with try-scorer Jordan Larmour and Jimmy O’Brien named on the wings.

Ringrose (pictured above), who will make his 50th European appearance at the RDS tomorrow, is joined by Robbie Henshaw in the centre, with Ciarán Frawley and Jamison Gibson-Park completing the backline. Frawley starts at fly-half for the first time in European competition, having come off the bench last Sunday.

In the pack, Clarkson (pictured below) joins the experienced duo of Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan in the front row for his European debut.

Jason Jenkins starts this weekend having come off the bench in Stade Marcel Deflandre last Sunday and partners Ryan in the second row.

Josh van der Flier comes into the back row in the final change to the pack, where he joins Ryan Baird and Caelan Doris.

Among the replacements, half-backs Ben Murphy and Sam Prendergast are in line to make their Champions Cup debuts. Murphy was part of last weekend’s squad in France, while Prendergast features in a Champions Cup squad for the first time.

Speaking ahead of the game, Leinster Assistant Coach Andrew Goodman said the Premiership leaders will pose a tough test.

“Sale have a clear DNA of how they play. I’ve enjoyed watching them. They have some nice strike plays, with some dangerous backs. We’re excited to go up against them at home.”

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Hugo Keenan (59)
14. Jordan Larmour (95)
13. Garry Ringrose (119) CO-CAPTAIN
12. Robbie Henshaw (80)
11. Jimmy O’Brien (75)
10. Ciarán Frawley (75)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (130)
1. Andrew Porter (111)
2. Dan Sheehan (50)
3. Thomas Clarkson (30)
4. Jason Jenkins (25)
5. James Ryan (76) CO-CAPTAIN
6. Ryan Baird (57)
7. Josh van der Flier (131)
8. Caelan Doris (71)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (51)
17. Cian Healy (267)
18. Michael Ala’alatoa (53)
19. Joe McCarthy (23)
20. Jack Conan (134)
21. Ben Murphy (8)
22. Sam Prendergast (6)
23. Charlie Ngatai (21)

Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)