Team news: Byrne starts and trio return as Cullen names Leinster side for Bayonne clash

RG Snyman comes back into the team for the first time since the beginning of December

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026 - 12:14

Head coach Leo Cullen has named his Leinster side.to take on Bayonne in Round 4 of the Champions Cup at Stade Jean-Dauger on Saturday (kick-off, 4.15pm).

James Ryan will make his 50th appearance in the competition after being named in the second-row, while Caelan Doris will captain Leinster once more.

Max Deegan comes into the back-row in one of eight changes to the starting 15 from last Saturday's 25-24 win over Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium, with Josh van der Flier on the opposite flank and Doris at number eight.

RG Snyman comes back into the team for the first time since the beginning of December and he will partner Ryan in the second-row while Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong all come in to make up a new-look front-row.

Jimmy O'Brien returns for his first appearance in over a month to start at full-back, with Tommy O'Brien and Joshua Kenny on the wings.

Garry Ringrose returns for his first outing since the defeat of Harlequins on the opening day of the competition, with Robbie Henshaw his partner in the centre.

Harry Byrne has been named at out-half after coming off the bench to score the winning kick against LaRochelle last week, with Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half.

Dan Sheehan, Jerry Cahir and Thomas Clarkson provide the front-row cover for Saturday's game, with Joe McCarthy and Scott Penny completing the forward reinforcements.

Luke McGrath and Sam Prendergast cover the half-back positions, with Rieko Ioane completing the matchday 23.

Leinster (v Bayonne): Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Joshua Kenny; Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; RG Snyman, James Ryan; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jerry Cahir, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Rieko Ioane.

Ulster (Challenge Cup v Stade Francais):

Jacob Stockdale; Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Angus Bell, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole; Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan; David McCann, Nick Timoney, Bryn Ward.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Sean Reffell, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite.

Connacht (Challenge Cup v Montauban): Sam Gilbert; Shane Jennings, Harry West, Cathal Forde, Finn Treacy; Jack Carty, Matthew Devine; Billy Bohan, Dave Heffernan, Sam Illo; Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy; Cian Prendergast, Paul Boyle, Sean Jansen.

Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Joe Joyce, Sean O’Brien, Ben Murphy, Sean Naughton, Sean Walsh.