Ross Byrne handed start as Cullen names Leinster side for Cardiff clash

There are five personnel changes to the starting XV from the win over Ospreys two weeks ago, with two players in line for their debuts off the bench.

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025 - 12:24

Leo Cullen has named his Leinster side to take on Cardiff Rugby in Round 12 of the URC on Saturday afternoon at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 3pm).

There are five personnel changes to the starting XV from the win over Ospreys two weeks ago, with two players in line for their debuts off the bench.

Luke McGrath captains the side from scrum-half with Gloucester-bound Ross Byrne taking the number 10 shirt. Charlie Tector and Hugh Cooney renew their centre partnership once more after starting in midfield against Ospreys two weeks ago.

Jimmy O'Brien shifts from wing to full-back, with Tommy O'Brien taking the number 14 shirt once more, while Andrew Osborne is promoted from the bench to start on the left wing.

Jack Boyle returns to the Leinster team after making his Irish debut against Wales last week and is joined in the front row by John McKee and Rabah Slimani.

Diarmuid Mangan partners Brian Deeny in the second row once more, with Will Connors, Max Deegan and Alex Soroka filling out the back row.

Ivan Soroka, Alex's brother, and Oliver Coffey both have the chance to earn their first Leinster caps this week if they are sprung from the replacements.

Academy hooker Stephen Smyth and Rory McGuire provide the rest of the front row cover while RG Snyman and Scott Penny fill out the remainder of the forwards replacements.

Rob Russell returns from injury to take his place in a Leinster matchday 23 for the first time since the opening game of the season and he is joined on the bench by Liam Turner.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien (Newbridge College / UCD RFC), Tommy O'Brien (Blackrock College), Hugh Cooney (Blackrock College / Clontarf FC), Charlie Tector (Kilkenny College / Lansdowne FC), Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC), Ross Byrne (Old Belvedere RFC / St. Michael’s College), Luke McGrath (CAPT) (Old Belvedere RFC / St. Michael’s College), Jack Boyle (Old Wesley RFC / St Michael’s College), John McKee (Ards RFC), Rabah Slimani (AAS Sarcelles), Diarmuid Mangan (Newbridge College / UCD RFC), Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers RFC), Alex Soroka (Belvedere College / Clontarf FC), Will Connors (North Kildare RFC / Clongowes Wood College), Max Deegan (St. Michael’s College / Wanderers FC).

Replacements: Stephen Smyth (County Carlow FC / Kilkenny College), Ivan Soroka (Belvedere College / Clontarf FC), Rory McGuire (Blackrock College / UCD RFC), RG Snyman (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool), Scott Penny (St. Michael’s College / Lansdowne FC), Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College), Liam Turner (Blackrock College), Rob Russell (Wanderers FC / St. Michael’s College).

Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett (Treorchy RFC), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Bath Youth), Rey Lee-Lo (Karaka Rugby Club), Rory Jennings (Salisbury RFC), Harri Millard (Mountain Ash RFC), Callum Sheedy (St Peters RFC), Johan Mulder (University of Pretoria Tuks), Danny Southworth (Barnstaple), Liam Belcher (CAPT) (Porth Harlequins), Rhys Litterick (Worthing College), Josh McNally (Royal Air Force), Rory Thornton (Bonymaen), Ben Donnell (Winchester), Thomas Young (Aberdare RFC), Alun Lawrence (Llantrisant RFC).

Replacements: Efan Daniel (Treherbert RFC), Rhys Barratt (Llantwit Fadre RFC), Will Davies-King (Chepstow RFC), Seb Davies (Pentyrch RFC), Alex Mann (Aberdare RFC), Ellis Bevan (Old Silhillians), Tinus de Beer (Harlequins Pretoria), Regan Grace (Aberavon Harlequins).

Ulster (v Scarlets): Stewart Moore (Ballymoney RFC), Michael Lowry (Dromore RFC), James Hume (Malone RFC), Stuart McCloskey (Bangor RFC), Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan RFC), Jack Murphy (Clontarf), Conor McKee (CIYMS), Callum Reid (Instonians RFC), Rob Herring (SACS), Scott Wilson (Dromore RFC), Alan O’Connor (CAPT) (Skerries RFC), Matthew Dalton (Belfast Royal Academy), Matty Rea (Ballymena RFC), Nick Timoney (Blackrock College RFC), James McNabney (Cambridge House Grammar School).

Replacements: John Andrew (Ballymena RFC), Sam Crean (Medway RFC), Tom O’Toole (Ashbourne RUFC), Kieran Treadwell (Chipstead RFC), David McCann (Cooke RFC), Nathan Doak (Lisburn RFC), Jake Flannery (Kilfeacle & District RFC), Jude Postlethwaite (Lisburn RFC).