Leinster name team to face Vodacom Bulls

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Vodacom Bulls in Round 13 of the BKT United Rugby Championship tomorrow evening in the RDS Arena has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen (KO: 7.35pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1).

Over 17,000 tickets have been sold for the game, with the remaining tickets available here.

11 players who featured for Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations start the game, with a further five named among the replacements.

Luke McGrath captains an experienced side that boasts over 1,500 combined Leinster appearances in the starting lineup.

Jordan Larmour starts the game at full-back, with Rob Russell and James Lowe named on the wing.

Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne are partnered in the centre, with Harry Byrne joining McGrath in the half-backs.

In the pack, Cian Healy will earn his 275th Leinster cap, moving within five appearances of Devin Toner’s record total of 280.

Healy is joined by Rónan Kelleher and Michael Ala’alatoa in the front row.

Joe McCarthy and Ross Molony pack down in the second row, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan completing the pack.

Among the replacements, there are three centurions named. Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne have over 400 appearances between them.

They are joined by Dan Sheehan, Michael Milne, Jason Jenkins, Caelan Doris and Liam Turner.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game, Forwards Coach Robin McBryde said the top-of-the-table clash against the Bulls will test the team’s credentials.

“They’re really strong, and comfortable in their identity of how they want to play the game. They look to dominate up front and they have multiple threats in broken play too. It’s going to be a tough match. They’re a quality team!”

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Jordan Larmour (100)
14. Rob Russell (27)
13. Robbie Henshaw (84)
12. Jamie Osborne (39)
11. James Lowe (74)
10. Harry Byrne (61)
9. Luke McGrath (204) CAPTAIN

1. Cian Healy (274)
2. Rónan Kelleher (55)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (61)
4. Ross Molony (174)
5. Joe McCarthy (28)
6. Ryan Baird (62)
7. Josh van der Flier (135)
8. Jack Conan (139)

Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan (55)
17. Michael Milne (34)
18. Tadhg Furlong (139)
19. Jason Jenkins (31)
20. Caelan Doris (75)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (134)
22. Ross Byrne (154)
23. Liam Turner (26)

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)