Big calls as Leinster and Munster name teams for Champions Cup semi-finals

One of Leinster’s star players has been left of their 23-man squad for their Champions Cup semi-final with the Scarlets at the Aviva on Saturday.

James Lowe, who has been a revelation since joining the province with an impressive strike record of 9 tries in just 10 appearances, misses out because only two ‘non-Europeans’ can be included.

Those spots have been given to Jamison Gibson-Park, who is named at scrumhalf alongside captain Johnny Sexton, while Australian Scott Fardy is in the pack.

Robbie Henshaw’s season appeared to be over when he walked off the pitch in a sling and inhaling pain relief during Ireland’s Natwest 6 Nations win over Italy.

But the centre’s remarkable recovery for a dislocated shoulder, which he sustained while scoring a try, is complete with the former Connacht man being named in the centre for Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final with the Scarlets on Saturday.

He will be alongside Garry Ringrose in a pretty formidable midfield partnership.

LINE UP: Your 23-man #LeinsterRugby squad to face @scarlets_rugby tomorrow at @AVIVAStadium in the #ChampionsCup Semi-Final. #LEIvSCA #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/ZUdLNVhYMY

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 20, 2018

In the pack, Cian Healy, Seán Cronin and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row with Devin Toner and James Ryan behind them in the second row.

It’s the same back row that started against Saracens in the quarter-final with Fardy, Dan Leavy and Jordi Murphy selected.

On the bench there is a welcome return from injury for Jack Conan while Jordan Larmour is also back in a European match day squad having missed the quarter-final through injury.

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Meanwhile Munster have also made a big call in putting Simon Zebo on the bench or Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final against Racing 92 in Bordeaux, as Keith Earls returns from injury.

Earls, who hasn’t played since Ireland’s victory over England at Twickenham, is selected on the right wing and will make his 150th appearance.

The clash will be a record 13th semi-final for the province and their first trip to the Stade Chaban-Delmas since the famous 31-25 win over Toulouse at the semi-final stage 18 years ago.

There are nine changes to the side that defeated the Cheetahs 19-17 in Bloemfontein last Friday night.

Alex Wootton is on the left wing, with Andrew Conway maintaining his place in the starting XV as he moves to full-back.

Squad Announcement ?| @KEITHEARLS87 returns to be named in the starting XV for his 150th appearance in red ?

The winger is one of 9 changes for #R92vMUN #BordeauxBound??

Team news here >> https://t.co/z2PK4bWJ5G #SUAF pic.twitter.com/Jmiz0b36ox

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 20, 2018

Sammy Arnold and the returning Rory Scannell resume their centre partnership with Ian Keatley and Conor Murray in the half-backs.

Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer make up the front row with dependable second-row duo Jean Kleyn and Billy Holland starting in the engine room.

Captain Peter O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue and CJ Stander are the back-row forwards.