Three changes as Leo Cullen names team to face Glasgow

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Glasgow Warriors in the semi-finals  of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday at Aviva Stadium (KO: 2.45pm, live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen.

There are three personnel changes to the starting XV from last weekend’s 33-21 win over Scarlets in the quarter-finals. Jimmy O’Brien shifts to full-back as Tommy O’Brien comes in on the wing, while Scott Penny has been named at openside flanker and Dan Sheehan gets the nod at hooker.

Jack Conan captains the side once more, with Ryan Baird taking the six shirt alongside Penny in the back row.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue their partnership in the engine room while Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson will line up either side of Sheehan in the scrum.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast are the halfbacks with Jamie Osborne and Jordie Barrett continuing in the centres.

Having scored against Scarlets last weekend, James Lowe is again selected on the left wing and moves within two tries of equalling Shane Horgan’s club record of 69 tries for Leinster.

Rónan Kelleher is joined by Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani on the bench, with Max Deegan and BKT URC Players’ Player of the Season RG Snyman providing reinforcements in reserve.

Luke McGrath and Ciarán Frawley are also named among the replacements alongside Ross Byrne, who will be making his final appearance at Aviva Stadium for Leinster ahead of his move to Gloucester this summer after a decade of service. The 22-times capped Ireland international has scored 1,194 points in 184 appearances in blue to date and will hope to add to that total on Saturday.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Jimmy O’Brien (100)
14. Tommy O’Brien (45)
13. Jamie Osborne (63)
12. Jordie Barrett (13)
11. James Lowe (90)
10. Sam Prendergast (32)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (156)

1. Andrew Porter (138)
2. Dan Sheehan (71)
3. Thomas Clarkson (57)
4. Joe McCarthy (48)
5. James Ryan (95)
6. Ryan Baird (83)
7. Scott Penny (86)
8. Jack Conan (164) CAPTAIN

Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (77)
17. Jack Boyle (26)
18. Rabah Slimani (21)
19. RG Snyman (20)
20. Max Deegan (134)
21. Luke McGrath (232)
22. Ross Byrne (184)
23. Ciarán Frawley (102)

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)