The Leinster team to take on Ulster in Round Seven of the United Rugby Championship in Dublin on Friday has been named by coach Leo Cullen.
It’s a milestone game for James Ryan, who will earn his 100th Leinster cap after being named in the second row.
Jack Conan captains the side at No.8, with Scott Penny and Alex Soroka on the flanks. Ryan is joined in the engine room by Brian Deeny.
It’s all change in the front row as Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani will scrum down either side of Gus McCarthy, who has been named at hooker.
Rieko Ioane will make his first appearance in the URC outside of Charlie Tector in the centre, with flyhalf Sam Prendergast partnering Luke McGrath at scrumhalf.
Ciarán Frawley has been named at No.15 after coming off the bench to slot in at fullback for most of last Friday’s 23-15 comeback win over Leicester Tigers, with James Lowe and Joshua Kenny on the wings.
Dan Sheehan, Paddy McCarthy and Tadhg Furlong will provide the front row cover, with Joe McCarthy and Max Deegan completing the forward replacements.
Fintan Gunne and Harry Byrne are the reserve halfbacks and Ruben Moloney completes the matchday squad.
Leinster: 15 Ciarán Frawley, 14 Joshua Kenny, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Charlie Tector, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan (captain), 7 Scott Penny, 6 Alex Soroka, 5 James Ryan, 4 Brian Deeny, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Jack Boyle.
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Ruben Moloney.
Date: Friday, December 19
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Kick-off: 19.45 (19.45 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Fogarty (Ireland), Tomás O’Sullivan (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
