Porter makes injury return as Cullen recalls Leinster's big guns for Scarlets clash

Leinster prop Andrew Porter. Pic: Grace Halton/Inpho

Leo Cullen has named his Leinster side to take on Scarlets in Round 14 of the URC at the Aviva Stadium on Friday (kick-off, 7.45pm).

There are 12 personnel changes to the starting XV from last Saturday's defeat in Glasgow, with Caelan Doris set to captain the side from number eight.

Max Deegan and Josh van der Flier join Doris in the back row, with Brian Deeny and Joe McCarthy in the second row.

Andrew Porter returns for his first appearance since the win over Connacht on 3 January, with Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong alongside him for the first time in blue this season after the trio started the final two Tests for the British and Irish Lions over the summer.

Harry Byrne partners Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs, with Garry Ringrose named in the centre alongside Jamie Osborne, who will line out for his first Leinster appearance since October.

Jimmy O'Brien shifts to full-back with Joshua Kenny swapping wings as Tommy O'Brien takes the number 14 shirt.

Gus McCarthy, Jerry Cahir and Rabah Slimani provide the front row cover from the bench, with Conor O'Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka adding to the forward reinforcements. Fintan Gunne and Sam Prendergast are the half-backs in reserve as Robbie Henshaw completes the matchday 23.

Leinster assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal said: "It’s just a challenging time of year. I don’t think there’s any panic, but we want to perform better. I haven’t done the mathematics, but our goal is to win all the matches. 

"We’ve got to play teams that are in and around us as well. Others have to go to South Africa. But we need to perform better. That starts on Friday.”

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Joshua Kenny, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Brian Deeny, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jerry Cahir, Rabah Slimani, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Alex Soroka, Fintan Gunne, Sam Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw. 

Scarlets: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee, Joe Hawkins, Dane Blacker; Kemsley Mathias, Harry Thomas, Archer Holz, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Fletcher Anderson.

Replacements: George Roberts, Sam O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Jake Ball, Tristan Davies, Archie Hughes, Ioan Jones, Macs Page.