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Covid-19 hit Leinster opt for 6-2 split and rookie faces in backline

Leinster pair Dan Leavy and James Ryan. (Getty)

Covid-19 hit Leinster have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench and some rookie faces in the backline as they face the daunting task of Montpellier at the GGL Stadium tomorrow.

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Leinster said on Tuesday that “an additional number of senior players” have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Friday’s scheduled Heineken Champions Cup game.

It comes after Leinster postponed training on Monday prior to their latest PCR testing results. The Irish province said last week that three senior players and one member of staff had tested positive for Covid-19.

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Leo Cullen’s squad may see five European debuts, with academy product Jamie Osborne set to make his right away. The Naas RFC player made his competitive debut last season while still in the sub-academy.

Utility back Ciarán Frawley partners 20-year-old Osborne, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne the half back pairing.

Nine cap Jimmy O’Brien begins at fullback, alongside James Lowe and Adam Byrne on the wings. It will be Byrne’s first start in Europe since January 2019.

The pack is significantly more heavyweight, with Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher and Andrew Porter in the front row selected with Ryan Baird and James Ryan behind them.

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Max Deegan, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan are named in the back row, Conan making his return from a quad injury. Fellow Ireland international Leavy makes his first European start in just over three years.

Cullen has named a 6-2 split on the bench with Vakh Abdaladze, Jack Dunne, academy scrumhalf Cormac Foley and Scott Penny all in line to play their first games in the Heineken Champions Cup.

LEINSTER RUGBY:
15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Adam Byrne
13. Jamie Osborne
12. Ciarán Frawley
11. James Lowe
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Andrew Porter
4. Ryan Baird
5. James Ryan CAPTAIN
6. Max Deegan
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Ed Byrne
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Devin Toner
20. Jack Dunne
21. Cormac Foley
22. Tommy O’Brien
23. Scott Penny

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Additional reporting PA

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R
RedWarrior 41 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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