Henshaw returns, Prendergast at out-half as Cullen makes 10 changes to Leinster team to face Lions

RETURNING MAN: Robbie Henshaw. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named his side to take on Emirates Lions in Round 6 of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 5.15pm).

Three Academy players are included in the starting XV, with Andrew Osborne and Gus McCarthy keeping their places from last Saturday's 33-12 win over Connacht and Hugh Cooney promoted from the bench after making his debut in Galway.

Cooney is joined in the centre by the returning Robbie Henshaw, who makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury in one of 10 changes to the starting line up.

Hugo Keenan gets the nod at full-back once more as James Lowe returns to the starting team, with Osborne on the other wing.

Fresh off three impressive performances for Emerging Ireland in South Africa, Sam Prendergast has been handed the number 10 jersey where he will be partnered by Luke McGrath at scrum-half.

McCarthy is joined in the front row by Michael Milne and Rabah Slimani, while Ryan Baird returns for his first start of the season alongside RG Snyman.

Caelan Doris, who was recently named Irish captain for the upcoming autumn internationals, leads the team from number eight, while Max Deegan and Josh van der Flier offer support from the flanks.

Another of last week's debutants keeps his place in the squad as first year Academy hooker Stephen Smyth is named among the replacements once more, where he will will be supported by the experienced prop duo of Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson.

Brian Deeny and James Culhane round out the forward cover. Charlie Tector is set for his first appearance since returning from South Africa with Emerging Ireland.

Ross Byrne will continue his run of being involved in every game so far this season if he is introduced to the action. 

On the other end of things, having played in the pre-season friendly against Bordeaux-Begles, it will be a first competitive appearance of the season in blue for Cormac Foley if he comes off the bench on Saturday.

Leinster: H. Keenan; A. Osborne, H. Cooney, R. Henshaw, J. Lowe; S. Prendergast, L. McGrath; M. Milne, G. McCarthy, R. Slimani; R. Snyman, R. Baird; M. Deegan, J. van der Flier, C. Doris. 

Replacements: S. Smyth, A. Porter, T. Clarkson, B. Deeny, J. Culhane, C. Foley, R. Byrne, C. Tector.