Due to Tommy O’Brien’s injury, Jordie Barrett will start at fullback for Leinster against La Rochelle. The team also sees other positional shifts with Jamie Osborne and Jimmy O’Brien moving to the left and right wing respectively.
JORDIE BARRETT will start at fullback for Leinster in tomorrow’s Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle after the province confirmed a late change to their starting side. Right wing Tommy O’Brien has been ruled out due to injury in the latest cruel blow for him, with Barrett coming into the starting XV having been named on the bench yesterday. Jamie Osborne, who was initially named at fullback, moves to the left wing and Jimmy O’Brien switches over to the right wing.
Ciarán Frawley is added to the Leinster bench in jersey number 23. Advertisement 26-year-old Tommy O’Brien had been set for his first Champions Cup start on the right wing after Jordan Larmour was ruled out earlier this week, but O’Brien was injured in Leinster’s final training session ahead of the La Rochelle clash. O’Brien has always been an obvious talent with his pace and defensive quality, impressing the Ireland coaching staff, but he has been extremely unlucky with injuries. The Dublin man was due to be part of the Emerging Ireland tour earlier this season but was ruled out of that trip to South Africa after being injured in a Leinster game. Leinster boss Leo Cullen has the luxury of being able to bring All Blacks star Jordie Barrett into the team, with the New Zealander making his second start at fullback for the province. Five of Barrett’s six appearances for Leinster so far have been at inside centre but he impressed at number 15 in the Champions Cup win over Clermont last month, having spent the first five seasons of his career as a fullback. Frawley, who has just returned from a back injury, will be excited to get his chance off the Leinster bench as he is preferred to Hugo Keenan, who also returned from injury this week but missed out on selection. Leinster (v La Rochelle): 15. Jordie Barrett 14. Jimmy O’Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. Jamie Osborne 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 1. Cian Healy 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Joe McCarthy 5. James Ryan 6. Ryan Baird 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (captain) Replacements: 16. Gus McCarthy 17. Andrew Porter 18. Rabah Slimani 19. RG Snyman 20. Jack Conan 21. Luke McGrath 22. Ross Byrne 23. Ciarán Frawley Referee: Nika Amashukeli
LEINSTER La Rochelle CHAMPIONS CUP JORDIE BARRETT Tommy O’BRIEN INJURY
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Late Late viewers moved by emotional tribute to late Galway singer Johnny DuhanThe first Late Late Show of 2025 opened with Trad Fest, which celebrated a wealth of musical talent here in Ireland, while also remembering the late Johnny Duhan
Read more »
Leinster break Connacht hearts with late penalty in DublinJordie Barrett picked up the Man of the Match but it was Ross Byrne who controlled the game
Read more »
It's The Late Late Christmas Special...here's whose on this week!It's The Late Late Christmas Special...here's whose on the show with Patrick Kielty this week! You won't want to miss!
Read more »
Una Healy and Nathan Carter lead line-up for Late Late Show Christmas specialIt's a bumper line-up for a festive edition of the chat show, which will also see Patrick Kielty joined in studio by Rupert Everett, Ciara Mageean, and celebrities taking part in Dancing with the Stars
Read more »
Una Healy's relationship with former jockey as she appears on Late Late ShowThe Cork native enjoyed numerous big race wins before being forced to retire from the saddle
Read more »
RTÉ Late Late Toy Show appeal raises over €5m for children’s charitiesMore than €3.7 million was donated through online banking app Revolut
Read more »