Leo Cullen makes three changes to team for Glasgow Warriors URC semi-final

SHEEHAN SELECTED: Head coach Leo Cullen has made three changes to his Leinster side for their URC semi-final clash against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile.

Head coach Leo Cullen has made three changes to his Leinster side for their URC semi-final clash against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (Kick-off: 2.45pm, live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 1).

Following on from last weekend's 33-21 win over Scarlets in the quarter-finals, Cullen has decided to shift Jimmy O'Brien to full-back as Tommy O'Brien comes in on the wing, while Scott Penny has been named at openside flanker and Dan Sheehan gets the nod at hooker

Jack Conan captains the side yet ahain, with Ryan Baird taking the six shirt alongside Penny in the back row. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue their partnership in the engine room while Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson will line up either side of Sheehan in the scrum.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast are the halfbacks with Jamie Osborne and Jordie Barrett continuing in the centres. Having scored against Scarlets last weekend, James Lowe is again selected on the left wing and moves within two tries of equalling Shane Horgan's club record of 69 tries for Leinster. 

Leinster Senior Coach Jacques Nienaber said: "It's a privilege for any team to be involved in the knockout stages.

"It's a privilege for us definitely to be testing ourselves against Glasgow this weekend, the reigning champions, who obviously understand how to play knockout games if you look at what they did last year. It's a privilege to test ourselves against a quality side like that."

Rónan Kelleher is joined by Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani on the bench, with Max Deegan and BKT URC Players’ Player of the Season RG Snyman providing reinforcements in reserve.

Luke McGrath and Ciarán Frawley are also named among the replacements alongside Ross Byrne, who will be making his final appearance at Aviva Stadium for Leinster ahead of his move to Gloucester this summer after a decade of service

The 22-times capped Ireland international has scored 1,194 points in 184 appearances in blue to date and will hope to add to that total on Saturday.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith added: “Leinster are the standard setters in this competition.

"They finished top of the standings for a reason, and have consistently out-performed teams across the course of this season while showing their strength in depth.

“It is a challenge that we know we will need to be at our best to meet, and the players are focused on the task at hand.

“Training this week has been sharp and competitive, with every player working hard for each other to put this squad in the best possible position for tomorrow afternoon.”

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Scott Penny, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Ciarán Frawley.

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Hiddleston, Fin Richardson, Alex Samuel, Scott Cummings, Euan Ferrie, Rory Darge, Henco Venter.

Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Jack Mann, Macenzzie Duncan, Stafford McDowall, Jamie Dobie.