Leo Cullen makes two changes to the starting XV which beat Leicester Tigers in last weekend’s round of 16 victory
quarter-final with La Rochelle. The chop-tackling specialist reprises his role having started over Josh van der Flier when the province beat their French opponents inas Jason Jenkins replaces Ross Molony in the secondrow. Garry Ringrose has not won his battle to recover from a shoulder injury on time while Cian Healy, who limped off against Leicester, also misses out on the matchday 23. Michael Milne takes his place on the bench.
Given Ringrose’s absence, Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne once again form the centre pairing with Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour and James Lowe in the backthree. Ross Byrne continues as first choice outhalf with Ciarán Frawley on the bench; Harry Byrne drops out of the 23. Last week’s player of the match Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrumhalf.
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong form the frontrow trio with Joe McCarthy partnering Jenkins at lock. Alongside Connors in the backrow is Caelan Doris - who captains the team - and Ryan Baird.Leinster opt for Will Connors over Josh van der Flier for quarter-final date with La RochelleCullen has opted for a 6/2 split on the bench with van der Flier, Milne, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jack Conan and Molony all providing forward cover.
Meanwhile La Rochelle have promoted Irish secondrow Ultan Dillane to their starting XV ahead of Saturday’s clash. The former Connacht man joins Australian Will Skelton at lock, with Gregory Alldritt captaining the side in a backrow which also features Levani Botia and Judicael Cancoriet. Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Antoine Hastoy once again form La Rochelle’s halfback pairing, with Jonathan Danty and UJ Seuteni lining out at centre. England international Jack Nowell is in the backthree alongside Teddy Thomas while Dillyn Lleyds starts at fullback in place of French international Brice Dulin.
La-Rochelle-Rugby Champions-Cup Will-Connors Josh-Van-Der-Flier Leo-Cullen
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