Thu, 28 May, 2026 - 15:00

Play it again, Sam

Suncroft's Sam Prendergast has been recalled to the Leinster starting line up for Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Lions along with Jimmy O'Brien and Jamie Osborne, while Diarmuid Mangan is named among the replacements

Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen has handed Sam Prendergast the number 10 jersey for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Lions at Aviva Stadium in one of six changes to the matchday squad from last week’s Champions Cup final defeat.

The Suncroft man gets the nod to start for his 50th Leinster appearance with Harry Byrne named as the replacement out-half, meaning there is no room for the Connacht-bound Conor Frawley.

Cullen explained his decision to go with Prendergast.

“We're trying to make good choices for the group here," Cullen told the media.

"It's always a balance. And we're lucky with the guys that we have there. And Sam, as you know, he's a super talented young man. And we want to keep giving the guy opportunities.

"Even though he's 23 years of age, he's multiple Irish caps under his belt already.

"So it's not just us as coaches here who think that the guy has unbelievable amount of potential. It's the Irish coaches as well. So, we all want to see him progress.

"So, we need to keep giving him these opportunities," said the Leinster Head Coach.

Elsewhere in the squad, Kildare’s Jimmy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne come into the team while Diarmuid Mangan is named on the bench.

Caelan Doris captains the side from number eight, James Lowe comes back into the team to make his 100th appearance, after equalling Shane Horgan's all-time try-scoring record (69 tries) in his last outing.

Hugo Keenan continues at full-back with O'Brien coming back into the team on the wing.

Rieko Ioane shifts over to centre where he will play outside Osborne, while Luke McGrath partners Prendergast in midfield.

Tadhg Furlong moves into the starting team after being on the bench last weekend, with Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan completing the front row.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue in the second row, while Max Deegan comes in to the starting line up with Scott Penny on the opposite flank.

Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov and Thomas Clarkson offer the front row cover while Mangan and Josh van der Flier complete the forward reinforcements. Jamison Gibson-Park and Harry Byrne are the reserve half-backs with Robbie Henshaw taking the number 23 shirt.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Hugo Keenan (83)

14. Jimmy O'Brien (118)

13. Rieko Ioane (15)

12. Jamie Osborne (74)

11. James Lowe (99)

10. Sam Prendergast (49)

9. Luke McGrath (254)

1. Andrew Porter (148)

2. Dan Sheehan (87)

3. Tadhg Furlong (166)

4. Joe McCarthy (63)