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Kelleher returns for Leinster as Glasgow welcome back 9 Scotland campers
By Kim Ekin
Injury-plagued British & Irish Lions tourist Ronan Kelleher play his first game for Leinster in two months as the Irish province welcome Glasgow to the RDS.
Ireland prospect Harry Byrne - brother of Ross Byrne who starts at flyhalf - is also in line to make his first appearance of the season as the men in blue host Franco Smith Glasgow's in the URC.
Academy products Rob Russell and Liam Turner return to the side after impressing against Chile, while All Blacks Charlie Ngatai will make his seventh appearance for Leinster in the centres.
In addition, a number of Ireland players that featured against Australia are also available for the Round 8 fixture against the Warriors. Joe McCarthy is named on the bench, as is Springboks second row Jason Jenkins who featured for SA 'A' recently.
McCarthy and Ross Moloney are the second row combination, with Rhys Ruddock skippering the side at six, with Scott Penny at openside and Max Deegan at No. 8.
They face a stern Test in a Glasgow Warriors side that features nine players who were involved in the Scotland camp for the recent Autumn Nations Series, including recent international debutants Murphy Walker and Jack Dempsey.
Jamie Bhatti and Ross Thompson return to the fold after being involved with Gregor Townsend’s outfit during the Autumn. They are named on the bench.
“Tomorrow is an opportunity to measure ourselves against a strong Leinster side," said Glasgow Warriorss head coach Franco Smith. “We were pleased with how we ended our last block of games with our win over Benetton and we plan to carry that momentum into this important block.
“Tomorrow is the start of the next part of our journey as we continue to build our squad and our performances.”
LEINSTER TEAM:
15. Jamie Osborne
14. Rob Russell
13. Liam Turner
12. Charlie Ngatai
11. Dave Kearney
10. Ross Byrne
9. Luke McGrath
1. Ed Byrne
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Ross Molony
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny
8. Max Deegan
REPLACEMENTS:
16. John McKee
17. Michael Milne
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Jason Jenkins
20. Ryan Baird
21. Cormac Foley
22. Harry Byrne
23. Chris Cosgrave
GLASGOW WARRIORS TEAM:
1. Oli Kebble
2. Fraser Brown
3. Murphy Walker
4. Sintu Manjezi
5. Alex Samuel
6. Gregor Brown
7. Sione Vailanu
8. Jack Dempsey
9. George Horne
10. Tom Jordan
11. Rufus McLean
12. Stafford McDowall
13. Kyle Steyn (C)
14. Sebastian Cancelliere
15. Josh McKay
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Johnny Matthews
17. Jamie Bhatti
18. Simon Berghan
19. JP du Preez
20. Lewis Bean
21. Euan Ferrie
22. Jamie Dobie
23. Ross Thompson
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Latest Comments
You need at least two great players in each position.
Being McReight or Reimer at 7
Valentini or Uru at 6
Cale or Wilson at 8 - all 4 of these players could probably interchange.
We have phenomenal depth with some fantastic back up players like Champion De C and Tom Hooper who provides great utility value and is playing outstandingly well. Tizzano as well. Gleeson maybe.
Go to commentsYes it was just written as a joke but Ireland beating NZ certainly put a target on them. I was desperate for NZ to play Ireland come 1/4 final time and it was definately one of the sweetest wins for some time. The most pleasure is gained when the opposition publicly disrespects you and Ireland players did that. Revenge was sooooo sweet.
Maybe you are right. Maybe all teams should just send B teams for every test match now, just in case the opposition gain IP.
The one clear thing from watching French world cup squads is that they argue with each other when in a touring type situation. Thats because they arnt used to being on tour together. Thats their failing and probably a decent part of why France dont win world cups.
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