1
Late Leinster change sees Jordie Barrett move from sub to starter
By Liam Heagney
Leinster’s curious team selection drama for this Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup tie at La Rochelle took another twist on Saturday morning when Jordie Barrett was promoted to the starting line-up before the squad flew out of Ireland.
ADVERTISEMENT
When Leo Cullen’s match day 23 was originally announced on Friday lunchtime, it had Jordan Larmour named to start on the right wing. However, a clarification was soon issued as Larmour was injured and would miss the trip.
This resulted in Tommy O’Brien getting the No14 jersey for the pool match in France. However, less than 24 hours later, it emerged that O’Brien would also not be flying out for the game and that his place in the starting XV was going to Barrett.
Video Player is loading.
The New Zealander was originally named as the 23rd man when the squad was first announced but he will now wear the No15 jersey at Stade Marcel Deflandre.
Jamie Osborne, who had been chosen at full-back in the absence of Hugo Keenan, will now run out to play on the left wing with Jimmy O’Brien switching across to start at No14, the position Tommy O’Brien was due to occupy. Ciaran Frawley comes onto the bench.
Barrett was a starter in Leinster’s last Champions Cup fixture, playing at full-back in the December win over Clermont, but he was a sub on his last appearance, the pre-Christmas URC win over Connacht, and was set to provide bench cover again in France only to learn on Saturday he will instead be a starter.
A statement read: “Following an injury during the captain’s run Friday in Energia Park, Tommy O’Brien will not now travel to France this Saturday morning.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Leinster (vs La Rochelle, Sunday): 15. Jordie Barrett; 14. Jimmy O’Brien, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Jamie Osborne; 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (capt). Reps: 16. Gus McCarthy, 17. Andrew Porter, 18. Rabah Slimani, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Ciaran Frawley.
Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players and let us know what you think!
Does that make much sense? Wing was/is Barrett's most played International position.
It never was his best position, and he's much slower than he used to be. He's only ever been good at Centre and Fullback.