Johnny Sexton has made a return to the Leinster line-up for their Pro 14 final against Glasgow in Celtic Park on Saturday at 18 30.
The captain has taken the No 10 jersey back from Ross Byrne who played who played last weekend’s semi-final against Munster in one of three changes to the side.
Another change in the back-line sees Rob Kearney come in for his brother Dave at full-back with Jordan Larmour switching to the wing. While in the second-row Scott Fardy replaces the injured Devin Toner.
Apart from that it’s as you were with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong knuckling down in the front-row, with Fardy joining James Ryan in the engine room.
Rhys Ruddock is at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier retaining his spot at openside following a man of the match comeback performance last week, with Jack Conan continuing at No 8.
Luke McGrath partners Sexton in the half-backs, with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose linking up in the centre.
The ever-impressive James Lowe begins the game on the left-wing, with Larmour on the right and Kearney at 15.
Sean O’Brien has been kept out of the side meaning he won’t get to play another game for the province before his summer departure to London Irish. While Jack McGrath has been denied his chance at a final goodbye before moving to Ulster as Ed Byrne is chosen on the bench.
The visitors have strength among their replacements with Byrne being joined by the likes of twin brother Bryan, Ross Molony, Ross Bryne and Rory O’Loughlin.
Speaking ahead of the game prop Healy admitted he watched the Warriors 50-20 win over Ulster last weekend and has warned his side to be ready.
“I watched their game on Friday – they looked pretty dangerous,” he said.
While Leinster will be hoping for back-to-back titles Glasgow will want to dethrone them in front of the Scottish crowd.
For the Warriors it’s Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown and Zander Fagerson are the front-three, with Scott Cummins and Jonny Gray pairing in the second-row.
In the back-row it’s Rob Harley at six, Callum Gibbins at seven and Matt Fagerson at eight to finish up the pack.
Ali Price and Adam Hastings continue their partnership in the half-backs at scrum-half and out-half respectively, while it’s Sam Johnson and Kyle Steyn in the centre.
DTH van der Merwe opens at 11, with Tommy Seymour at 14 and Stuart Hogg at 15 in what will be his final appearance for the club before his move to Exeter Chiefs.
There is plenty to call upon from the bench with the Ryan Wilson, George and Peter Horne and Huw Jones among those ready to make an impact if needed.
The element of home advantage is one that flanker Harley is hoping the fans will take advantage of when the time comes.
“Celtic Park is a great stadium. We’re really looking forward to packing it out with our fans,” he said.
Key
Battles:
Fraser
Brown vs Sean Cronin:
This will be an intriguing battle as both
will have to be spot on with the line-out and give everything in the scrum.
Experience will help both but there will be a harder task for Brown in
open-play as he will need to keep an eye on his opposite number who has been a
lethal try-scorer this season and would love to get another in the final.
Jonny
Gray vs James Ryan:
Home advantage will mean nothing to Gray as
he faces up to arguably the best lock in the world at the moment. Both put in
sensational tackling figures to go along with their attacking metres they gain
as well as the line-out battle, this could be the place where the game is won
or lost.
Ali
Price vs Luke McGrath:
These two will both be out to impress their
national team coaches ahead of the World Cup later this year and a strong
performance in the final could earn them a ticket to Japan. Price’s pace will
be a worry for McGrath, while the Leinster man’s kicking game could cause
problems for the Warriors.
Tommy
Seymour vs James Lowe:
A Scottish legend coming up against one of
the brightest sparks of this Leinster side. You wouldn’t bet against either
getting a try and the way they defend one another could be the vital component
of who wins this individual war.
Stuart
Hogg vs Rob Kearney:
This is a man departing his club up against
a man who could be leaving his beloved blues with both out to prove a point.
Hogg is a danger in any match he plays, while Kearney will be hoping to put any
fans or coaches doubts about him to bed with a solid performance which could be
his last for the club.
Both teams finished top of their respective conferences and there is no doubt that the two best teams have reached the final showpiece. With only a day to go until kick-off there is still no separating the two sides as they seek the domestic crown once again.
