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Covid-19 hit Leinster opt for 6-2 split and rookie faces in backline
By Ian Cameron
Covid-19 hit Leinster have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench and some rookie faces in the backline as they face the daunting task of Montpellier at the GGL Stadium tomorrow.
Leinster said on Tuesday that “an additional number of senior players” have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Friday’s scheduled Heineken Champions Cup game.
It comes after Leinster postponed training on Monday prior to their latest PCR testing results. The Irish province said last week that three senior players and one member of staff had tested positive for Covid-19.
Leo Cullen's squad may see five European debuts, with academy product Jamie Osborne set to make his right away. The Naas RFC player made his competitive debut last season while still in the sub-academy.
Utility back Ciarán Frawley partners 20-year-old Osborne, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne the half back pairing.
Nine cap Jimmy O'Brien begins at fullback, alongside James Lowe and Adam Byrne on the wings. It will be Byrne's first start in Europe since January 2019.
The pack is significantly more heavyweight, with Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher and Andrew Porter in the front row selected with Ryan Baird and James Ryan behind them.
Max Deegan, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan are named in the back row, Conan making his return from a quad injury. Fellow Ireland international Leavy makes his first European start in just over three years.
Cullen has named a 6-2 split on the bench with Vakh Abdaladze, Jack Dunne, academy scrumhalf Cormac Foley and Scott Penny all in line to play their first games in the Heineken Champions Cup.
LEINSTER RUGBY:
15. Jimmy O'Brien
14. Adam Byrne
13. Jamie Osborne
12. Ciarán Frawley
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Andrew Porter
4. Ryan Baird
5. James Ryan CAPTAIN
6. Max Deegan
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Ed Byrne
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Devin Toner
20. Jack Dunne
21. Cormac Foley
22. Tommy O'Brien
23. Scott Penny
Additional reporting PA
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Latest Comments
Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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