Leinster and Munster gain valuable experience back for URC derby

Ahead of the highly anticipated URC matchup between Leinster and Munster, both teams have welcomed back multiple players to their starting lineup.

The round nine game is sold out at Thomond Park, expecting 25,000 packed in on Friday night.

Munster has welcomed back Tadhg Beirne to the starting lineup, where the 32-year-old will lead Munster from lock. 

The 56-Test Ireland utility forward will be a welcome return for Munster, who must be on top form to stop first-placed Leinster after eight games in this URC campaign.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Munster

7 - 28

Full-time

Leinster

All Stats and Data

Beirne isn’t the only inclusion to this week’s lineup, with Billy Burns, Oli Jager, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Dian Bleuler and Alex Kendellen all available and back into Munster’s 15-man starting squad.

Last week’s player of the match against Ulster Tom Farrell, will line up in midfield this week alongside Rory Scannell.

Shane Daly, Calvin Nash and Mike Haley get the nod again in the back three as they start the game for the second week in a row.

After suffering a concussion in Belfast a couple of weeks back, Dian Bleuler has returned to the lineup following his completion of return-to-play protocols.

Munster is still without experienced internationals Peter O’Mahony (calf) and Connor Murray (elbow), as well as 30-year-old Jack O’Donoghue (shoulder).

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has also been able to make some adjustments ahead of this weekend’s grudge match, making a number of changes to the matchday squad.

Ireland’s loose forward and World Rugby 15’s Player of the Year nominee Caelan Doris is back in the squad to captain the side from the first whistle.

Cullen also has the luxury of welcoming back Jamie Osborne to the starting fullback role, which means Jimmy O’Brien and Tommy O’Brien start in the 11 and 14 jerseys respectively.

Ireland first-five Sam Prendergast once again gets the nod at fly-half for Leinster.

The reliable midfield partnership of two Ireland International midfielders are trusted again with Gary Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw continuing their ongoing partnership in midfield.

68-Test Ireland international Josh van der Flier makes his 150th appearance for Leinster against Munster this weekend.

It is a huge boost for Cullen, who’s able to bring the experience of Doris back into his starting lineup, especially with the likes of Josh van der Flier and Ryan Baird also being at his disposal for this Friday’s sellout at Thomond Park.

Leinster’s front row consists of Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher and Rabah Slimani with the experienced combination of James Ryan and Joe McCarthy making up the tight-five.

Team Lists:

Leinster: 15 Jamie Osborne 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Jack Boyle

Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jordan Larmour

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Ethan Coughlan, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Tom Ahern, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Fineen Wycherley, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dian Bleuler

Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 John Ryan, 19 Brian Gleeson, 20 John Hodnett, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Ben O’Connor