Leinster have been able to call up a few international stars for their match with Glasgow Warriors at the RDS on Saturday at 15 00.
The most noticeable names on the team sheet are Robbie Henshaw and Devin Toner who both make their first appearances since Ireland’s loss to England in the Six Nations.
It provides the duo with an opportunity to prove their fitness ahead of next week’s Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse.
Also returning to the set-up are the likes of Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Ross Byrne and Sean O’Brien, who captains the side in what could be his last ever game in the RDS.
Ed Byrne, James Tracy, and Michael Bent start in the front-row, with many believing Ed Byrne could be not only the future of Leinster but Ireland rugby as Jack McGrath is set to head to Ulster in June and Cian Healy’s career ticks over.
Toner is joined by Jack Dunne in the engine room, with Dunne making his first start in blue. Behind them are Josh Murphy, O’Brien and Caelan Doris to complete the pack.
Jamison Gibson-Park is at nine and is partnered by Ross Byrne who has recovered from the cramp that forced him off against Ulster two weeks ago.
Outside them Henshaw opens at inside-centre with Joe Tomane on the outside at 13. Dave Kearney is on the left-wing, with Jordan Larmour on the right and Rob Kearney at full-back.
There is a mixture of youth and experience on the bench as Sean Cronin, Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong are joined by Will Conors, who could play his first action of the season, Max Deegan, Hugh O’Sullivan, Ciaran Frawley and Adam Byrne.
.@henshawrob and @DevinToner4 are back! ??
Here is your #LeinsterRugby team to take on @GlasgowWarriors tomorrow at the RDS Arena (KO 3pm). ⬇️#LEIvGLA #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/DQfhJKpXo8— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 12, 2024
Ahead of the game former Leinster No 10 and current backs coach Felipe Contepomi has spoken of his sides desire to win coming into the final stages of the season with places still up for grabs.
“Everyone’s hungry, it’s finals rugby now and everyone wants to be on the big dates. For you to be on the big dates you have to be performing well and the truth is that there’s a lot of competition here, so everyone is given their chance and there are a lot of hands up for places,” he said.
The home side will face a strong Glasgow
team that are looking to secure top spot in Conference A.
Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown and Zander
Fagerson take the first three places in the pack, with Scott Cummings and Jonny
Gray slotting in behind them.
Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro and Matt Fagerson
are at six, seven and eight respectively in what is a powerful pack.
The backs are equally as strong with Ali
Price beginning the game at scrum-half alongside Adam Hastings who is at
out-half. Sam Johnson and Kyle Steyn pair up outside them in the centre.
Nikola Matawalu and Tommy Seymour are on
the wings, with Stuart Hogg at 15.
There is plenty to call on from the bench
if needed too with players like Grant Stewart, D’Arcy Rae, Peter Horne and Huw
Jones raring to go.
The game sees to the two conference leaders go head-to-head in the second-last regular season game of the competition for them. Leinster have been long guaranteed top spot in Conference B but will be looking to improve their domestic form before heading into next weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final. However, Glasgow will know that a win at Leinster coupled with a loss for Munster against Benetton would secure top spot in Conference A. So, everything is still to play for when these two titans come together on Saturday.
