Sport

Doris back in the fold for Munster clash

Seán O'Brien of Munster (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Leinster have received a big boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash against Munster on Friday night at Thomond Park, with captain Caelan Doris returning to the fold.

The Mayo native starts in the back row as captain, alongside Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier.

Jamie Osborne starts at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien on the wings. Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose form the midfield partnership, while Luke McGrath starts at scrum-half alongside Sam Prendergast.

The front row features Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, and Rabah Slimani, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in the second row.

Leinster's replacements include experienced internationals Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, and Ross Byrne, as well as versatile players Jordan Larmour and Scott Penny.

The game starts at 7.35 p.m. and is live on TG4 & Premier Sports

Leinster:

Full-Back: Jamie Osborne
Wings: Tommy O'Brien, Jimmy O'Brien
Centres: Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose
Half-Backs: Sam Prendergast (Out-Half), Luke McGrath (Scrum-Half)
Front Row: Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani
Second Row: Joe McCarthy, James Ryan
Back Row: Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (Captain)
Replacements:
Front Row Cover: Lee Barron, Andrew Porter, Cian Healy
Locks/Back Row Cover: Brian Deeny, Scott Penny
Half-Back Cover: Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne
Back Three Cover: Jordan Larmour

🔵 ᴛᴇᴀᴍ ᴀɴɴᴏᴜɴᴄᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ 🔵

This is the Leinster Rugby team that will take on Munster in Thomond Park tomorrow evening. 👊#NeverLessThanEverything #MUNvLEI pic.twitter.com/2nVt1YEunE

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) December 26, 2024

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has made seven changes to the side that earned a bonus-point win away to Ulster. In-form lock Tadhg Beirne returns to captain the side, with Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager, and Alex Kendellen all coming into the starting XV.

The back three remain unchanged, with Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, and Shane Daly retaining their positions. Rory Scannell pairs up Tom Farrell in midfield. Burns and Coughlan form the half-back pairing.

In the pack, Bleuler, Niall Scannell, and Oli Jager make up in the front row. Beirne partners Fineen Wycherley in the second row, while Tom Ahern moves into the back row alongside Kendellen and Gavin Coombes.

On the Munster bench are Academy players Kieran Ryan and Ben O'Connor, with experienced players John Ryan and Diarmuid Barron also included.

Munster will be without several key players due to injury and IRFU player management protocols. Peter O'Mahony (calf), Conor Murray (elbow), and Jack O'Donoghue (shoulder) are all unavailable, while Jack Crowley is rested under the IRFU guidelines.