The Leinster Rugby team for the Round 2 clash against Hollywoodbets Sharks in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday has been announced by head coach Leo Cullen.
Cullen has made five changes from the previous match against Glasgow Warriors. Max Deegan is set to mark his 100th appearance for Leinster as he takes his place in the back row. In the backline, Jamie Osborne and Cormac Foley are introduced to the starting lineup.
Michael Ala’alatoa makes his return to the team after his standout performance for Samoa in the Rugby World Cup. Lee Barron and Rhys Ruddock are also included in the forward pack.
Ciarán Frawley is positioned at full-back, while Tommy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour start on the wing. Osborne partners Charlie Ngatai in the centre, and Harry Byrne and Foley complete the backline lineup.
📥 | 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐃𝐒! — Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 27, 2023
Here is the #LeinsterRugby team to face @SharksRugby tomorrow in the #BKTURC #FromTheGroundUp #LEIvSHA pic.twitter.com/loSjKFQh0I
In the forwards, Jack Boyle joins Barron and Ala’alatoa in the front row. Ross Molony and Jason Jenkins maintain their spots in the second row, with Ruddock, captain Scott Penny, and Deegan forming the back row.
On the bench, Clontarf hooker Dylan Donnellan is poised to make his Leinster debut. Additionally, Paddy McCarthy, Rory McGuire, Ben Murphy, and Sam Prendergast are set to make their first appearances for Leinster at the RDS.
Tickets are still available here for the game, and there are various activities taking place around the RDS ahead of the game.
Kick-off is at 4:55pm Irish time and the game will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 1.
Leinster Rugby team
Fullback 15. Ciarán Frawley
Winger: 14. Tommy O’Brien
Centre: 13. Jamie Osborne 12. Charlie Ngatai
Winger: 11. Jordan Larmour
Out half: 10. Harry Byrne Scrum Half: 9. Cormac Foley
Front Row: 1. Jack Boyle 2. Lee Barron 3. Michael Ala’alatoa
Second Row 4. Ross Molony 5. Jason Jenkins
Back Row: 6. Rhys Ruddock 7. Scott Penny CAPTAIN 8. Max Deegan
Replacements:
- Dylan Donnellan
- Paddy McCarthy
- Rory McGuire
- Brian Deeny
- Will Connors
- Ben Murphy
- Sam Prendergast
- Rob Russell
