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Rónan Kelleher steps into the starting lineup as captain for Leinster as they prepare to face the Sharks at Kings Park Stadium. The province makes five changes to their previous lineup, with Caspar Gabriel retaining his starting spot at out-half alongside Fintan Gunne. Robbie Henshaw is the sole backline alteration, while Andre Esterhuizen leads the Sharks squad for the upcoming URC match.
RÓNAN KELLEHER COMES into the starting Leinster side as captain, while Casper Gabriel gets another start at out-half as the province face the Sharks at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday There are five changes to the starting XV from last Saturday’s bonus-point defeat to the Lions, with two players also shifting positions.
Kelleher starts at hooker, with Thomas Clarkson at tighthead prop and Andrew Porter moving across to loosehead. 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙠 🦈 Here is your Leinster team to take on @sharksrugby this Saturday in Durban 💥 📰 Team news: https://t.co/7fvixxlTq8#SHAvLEI pic.twitter.com/PSXvwojt9L — Leinster Rugby October 1, 2026 Conor O’Tighearnaigh is joined by Alan Spicer in the second row with Ryan Baird moving to the back row alongside Josh Ericson and Josh van der Flier.
Fintan Gunne continues at scrum-half after scoring a hat-trick in the opening round, with Caspar Gabriel his partner at 10 once more. Sam Prendergast is among the replacements. The team is in 📃 Andre Esterhuizen leads the Hollywoodbets Sharks into battle against reigning champions Leinster, with Esethu Mnebelele set for his first @vodacom #URC start in our colours. The Tank is ready for a big one.
#SharksRugbyClub #BlackWhiteForever… pic.twitter.com/HaImEXTSjE — Sharks Rugby Club October 1, 2026 Robbie Henshaw is named at inside centre as the only change to the backline with Hugh Cooney at outside centre once more. It’s an unchanged back three, with Andrew Osborne and Tommy O’Brien on the wings and Todd Lawlor at full-back. Leinster 15. Todd Lawlor 14.
Tommy O’Brien 13. Hugh Cooney 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. Andrew Osborne 10.
Caspar Gabriel 9. Fintan Gunne 1. Andrew Porter Advertisement 2. Rónan Kelleher 3.
Thomas Clarkson 4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh 5. Alan Spicer 6. Ryan Baird 7.
Josh van der Flier 8. Josh Ericson Replacements: 16. Gus McCarthy 17. Alex Usanov 18.
Niall Smyth 19. Brian Deeny 20. Diarmuid Mangan 21. Oliver Coffey 22. Sam Prendergast 23. Hugo McLaughlin
Leinster Rugby Sharks Rónan Kelleher URC Team News
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