Leinster team named for visit of Bath

Fri, 17 Jan, 2025 - 13:19

Less than a week after the thrilling win over La Rochelle, Leo Cullen has made five changes to the Leinster team for the visit of Bath to the Aviva Stadium (KO: 5.30pm live on RTÉ2, Premier Sports 1 and RTÉ Radio 1) on Saturday for the Round 4 Investec Champions Cup tie, with Jimmy O'Brien one of those players dropping to the bench.

However, Sam Prendergast and Jamie Osborne retain their places in the starting XV.

Prendergast continues at ten with Jamison Gibson-Park once again his half-back partner.

O'Brien misses out in the back three where Hugo Keenan returns for his first start since October at full back while on the opposite wing to Osborne, Garry Ringrose switches to a wide position to accommodate a centre partnership of Jordie Barrett and Robbie Henshaw.

Andrew Porter and Rabah Slimani have been drafted into the starting line up after coming off the bench in La Rochelle, with Rónan Kelleher keeping his place at hooker.

Joe McCarthy once again partners James Ryan in the second row, while Josh van der Flier continues at seven. Jack Conan comes in to captain the team while Max Deegan returns at flanker.

O'Brien offers the outside back cover on the bench while Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath will provide the reinforcements at half-back.

Academy hooker Gus McCarthy is joined by Cian Healy and Thomas Clarkson as the front row options, while RG Snyman and Caelan Doris also take their place among the replacements.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Hugo Keenan (70)

14. Garry Ringrose (132)

13. Robbie Henshaw (97)

12. Jordie Barrett (4)

11. Jamie Osborne (55)

10. Sam Prendergast (24)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (150)

1. Andrew Porter (130)

2. Rónan Kelleher (70)

3. Rabah Slimani (10)

4. Joe McCarthy (41)