RG Snyman set for first Leinster appearance as big guns return

Leinster make 12 changes from the team which beat Dragons last Friday. 

DEBUT: RG Snyman during Leinster training. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

RG Snyman is set to make his first Leinster appearance since joining the province from Munster.

The South African has been named to start in the second row alongside Joe McCarthy for Saturday's URC clash with Benetton at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso.

There are 12 personnel changes to the starting XV from the side that beat Dragons last Friday. Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne and Jack Conan are those retained as eight Irish internationals return to the starting team.

Hugo Keenan will make his first Leinster appearance since the Olympic Games. James Lowe comes in on the wing while Garry Ringrose partners Osborne in the centre.

Jamison Gibson-Park will make his second appearance of the season as Ciarán Frawley takes the number ten shirt.

Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong complete a front row all making their first appearances of the season.

Josh van der Flier is also drafted into the starting team after coming off the bench against Dragons.

Leinster team to play Benetton (Saturday, 5:15pm)

15. Hugo Keenan 14. Jimmy O’Brien  13. Garry Ringrose  12. Jamie Osborne  11. James Lowe 10. Ciarán Frawley 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 1. Andrew Porter 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Joe McCarthy 5. RG Snyman 6. Jack Conan 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (C)

Replacements: 16. Lee Barron 17. Michael Milne 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Ryan Baird 20. Brian Deeny 21. Fintan Gunne 22. Ross Byrne 23. Scott Penny

Connacht team to play Scarlets (Friday, 7:35pm)

15. Santiago Cordero 14. Mack Hansen 13. Cathal Forde 12. Bundee Aki 11. Piers O'Conor 10. Jack Carty 9. Ben Murphy 1. Denis Buckley 2. Dave Heffernan 3. Finlay Bealham 4. Niall Murray 5. David O’Connor 6. Josh Murphy 7. Conor Oliver 8. Cian Prendergast (C) 

Replacements: 16. Dylan Tierney-Martin 17. Peter Dooley 18. Temi Lasisi 19. Oisín Dowling 20. Paul Boyle 21. Caolin Blade 22. David Hawkshaw  23. Shayne Bolton 

Ulster team to play Bulls (3pm, Saturday)

15. Mike Lowry 14. Werner Kok 13. Stewart Moore 12. Ben Carson 11. Jacob Stockdale 10. Aidan Morgan 9. Nathan Doak 1. Andrew Warwick 2. James McCormick 3. Corrie Barrett 4. Iain Henderson (C) 5. Charlie Irvine 6. James McNabney 7. Sean Reffell  8. David McCann 

Replacements: 16. Tadgh McElroy 17. Eric O’Sullivan 18. Tom O’Toole 19. Alan O’Connor 20. Nick Timoney 21. Dave Shanahan 22. James Humphreys 23. Ben Moxham.