Leinster and Connacht ring changes for final URC round clashes

Leinster make nine changes with James Ryan returning to the starting XV for their game with Glasgow Warriors with Connacht making four changes for their away clash to Zebre.

TEAMS NAMED: James Ryan returns to the Leinster starting XV while Connacht make four changes to their side for away clash against Zebre. Pic:©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made nine changes to his side with James Ryan returning to the starting XV while interim Connacht head coach Cullie Tucker has made four changes to their side to face Zebre Parma.

Jack Conan will captain the side for their round 18 clash against Edinburgh on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (7.35pm). Jimmy O'Brien is set to make his 99th appearance as he starts on the wing with Tommy O'Brien starting on the opposite wing with Hugo Keenan at full back.

Robbie Henshaw partners Jordie Barrett in the centre with Sam Prendergast and Academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne at half-back.

Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson make up the front row with RG Snyman partnering Ryan in the engine room. Conan is joined in the back row by Ryan Baird and Scott Penny.

Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle and Tadhg Furlong are named on the bench alongside Max Deegan and Diarmuid Mangan. Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley and Jamie Osborne complete the 23.

Meanwhile, Joe Joyce, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle and David Hawkshaw all come into the starting XV for Connacht. 

Joyce joins Josh Murphy in the second row while Hurley-Langton returns from injury to join Boyle and captain Cian Prendergast in the back row. 

Hawkshaw partners Bundee Aki in centre with Finn Treacy and Shayne Bolton on the wings and Santi Cordero at full back. Ben Murphy and JJ Hanrahan continue at half-back.

The front row remains unchanged with Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham all present once more.

LEINSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): H Keenan, T O'Brien, R Henshaw, J Barrett, J O'Brien, S Prendergast, F Gunne; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Clarkson, RG Snyman, J Ryan, R Baird, S Penny, J Conan (c).

Replacements: R Kelleher, J Boyle, T Furlong, D Mangan, M Deegan, L McGrath, C Frawley, J Osborne.

CONNACHT (v Zebre Parma): S Cordero, S Bolton, D Hawkshaw, B Aki, F Treacy, JJ Hanrahan, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Murphy, J Joyce, C Prendergast (c), S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.

Replacements: E de Buitléar, J Duggan, J Aungier, D Murray, S Jansen, M Devine, C Forde, P O'Conor.