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Rugby

16th May 2025

James Ryan to start as part of nine Leinster changes for Glasgow clash

Adam Festus

The Leinster lock is set to make his first start since January.

Leinster have made nine changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s BKT URC match against Glasgow at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster head coach, Leo Cullen, is set to bring James Ryan back into the second row from the start.

The Irish lock suffered a calf injury towards the end of the Six Nations, making his comeback from the bench for Leinster in last weekend’s 76-5 win over Zebre.

Ryan will be partnered in the second row by RG Snyman, who recently was named Leinster’s player of the year.

Other changes include Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan coming into the starting line-up, to complete the Leinster front row alongside Thomas Clarkson.

Tommy O’Brien comes in to start on the right wing, with his fellow wing Jimmy O’Brien set for his 99th Leinster appearance on the opposite wing. Hugo Keenan comes into the team also at full back.

Outside centre will be occupied by the incoming Robbie Henshaw, coming in alongside Jordie Barrett to make up the Leinster midfield.

The final changes include academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne, with Sam Prendergast continuing at out-half, and openside flanker Scott Penny into the XV.

Jack Conan will captain the side from the number eight position, with his back row partners being Penny and Ryan Baird.

The Leinster bench includes front row cover from the likes of Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle and Tadgh Furlong. Academy second row, Diarmuid Mangan, and Luke McGrath who offers cover for scrum-half are also options. The 23 is rounded off by Ciarán Frawley and Jamie Osborne for the meeting against the reigning URC champions.

Leinster hammered Glasgow 52-0 last time they visited Dublin in April and have already secured top spot in the URC table. The league leaders will look to end the regular season on a high, ahead of the quarter-finals in two weeks.

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