Andrew Osborne returns to Leinster team

Andrew Osborne returns to the Leinster side to take on DHL Stormers in Round 10 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday at Aviva Stadium (KO: 5pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1).

Osborne on one wing while James Lowe makes a welcome return for his first Leinster game since October on the opposite side.

Dan Sheehan captains the side on his first appearance of the season. Henry McErlean is also set for his first outing of the campaign at full-back, with Paddy McCarthy hoping to come off the bench for his first minutes of the season.

James Lowe also makes a welcome return to take his place in a Leinster team for the first time since October.

With a combined total of nearly 400 Leinster appearances under their belts, Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath provide a wealth of experience in the half-back positions.

Jordie Barrett retains his place at 12 following last Saturday’s 47-21 win over Bath in the Investec Champions Cup and he is partnered in the centre by Liam Turner.

In the pack, Rabah Slimani and Max Deegan keep their places in the starting XV, although the latter shifts over from flanker to number eight.

Jack Boyle joins Slimani and Sheehan in the front row, with RG Snyman and Brian Deeny offering the support from the second row.

Kildare’s Will Connors and Diarmuid Mangan are named among the replacements.

Connors and James Culhane return from their injury layoffs to complete a 6-2 split on the Leinster bench, with Cormac Foley and Charlie Tector providing the backline cover.

John McKee and Rory McGuire join Paddy McCarthy in offering front row reinforcements.

Due to flight cancelations and travel disruptions as a result of Storm Éowyn, Eoghan Cross has been appointed as referee for this game to replace Andrea Piardi.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Henry McErlean (3) 

14. Andrew Osborne (7) 

13. Liam Turner (34) 

12. Jordie Barrett (5) 

11. James Lowe (84) 

10. Ross Byrne (175) 

9. Luke McGrath (222) 

1. Jack Boyle (16) 

2. Dan Sheehan (64) CAPTAIN 

3. Rabah Slimani (11) 

4. RG Snyman (10) 

5. Brian Deeny (30) 

6. Alex Soroka (10) 

7. Scott Penny (77) 

8. Max Deegan (123) 

 Replacements:

16. John McKee (29) 17. Paddy McCarthy (4) 18. Rory McGuire (4) 19. Diarmuid Mangan (5) 20. James Culhane (12) 21. Will Connors (52) 22. Cormac Foley (21) 23. Charlie Tector (13)