Leo Cullen names Leinster team to face Lions

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions in Round 17 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (KO: 5.30pm, live on Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen. Get your tickets here.

James Ryan captains the side with Brian Deeny his partner in the second row, while Thomas Clarkson and Ed Byrne will pack down either side of John McKee in the front row.

Max Deegan returns at blindside flanker, with Will Connors on the opposite side and James Culhane at number eight.

Sam Prendergast starts at out-half with Luke McGrath his partner at scrum-half, while Jamie Osborne is paired with Rieko Ioane in the centre.

Joshua Kenny and Jimmy O'Brien have been named on the wings with Ciarán Frawley at full-back.

Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter and Rabah Slimani offer a wealth of experience as the front row replacements, with Diarmuid Mangan and Scott Penny completing the forward reinforcements. Fintan Gunne is the reserve scrum-half with Hugh Cooney and Hugo Keenan rounding out the matchday 23.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Ciarán Frawley (120)
14. Joshua Kenny (13)
13. Rieko Ioane (13)
12. Jamie Osborne (72)
11. Jimmy O’Brien (116)
10. Sam Prendergast (48)
9. Luke McGrath (252)

1. Ed Byrne (104)
2. John McKee (43)
3. Thomas Clarkson (75)
4. Brian Deeny (52)
5. James Ryan (107) CAPTAIN
6. Max Deegan (155)
7. Will Connors (65)
8. James Culhane (25)

Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan (85)
17. Andrew Porter (146)
18. Rabah Slimani (34)
19. Diarmuid Mangan (25)
20. Scott Penny (104)
21. Fintan Gunne (31)
22. Hugh Cooney (11)
23. Hugo Keenan (81)

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU).