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Leinster show a ridiculously strong hand for New Year’s Eve battle with Ulster

Published 12:10 30 Dec 2016 GMT

Mikey Stafford
Leinster show a ridiculously strong hand for New Year’s Eve battle with Ulster

Homerugby

It's third versus fourth at the RDS on Saturday as Ulster travel south to face Leinster.

After fielding a weakened team for their last interpro against PRO12 leaders Munster, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was always going to call on the cavalry for this top four sell-out against Les Kiss's side. Ulster have a dismal record in Dublin 4 and will have to fend off a very strong Leinster side to end that run of defeats on New Year's Eve. Ross Byrne (continuing to deputise at out-half in the absence of Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery), Isa Nacewa and Rory O'Loughlin are the only players retained from the Thomond Park reversal as Cullen completely rotates his pack - welcoming back seven Ireland internationals (and Hayden Triggs).
Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Noel Reid, Rory O’Loughlin; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Michael Bent; Devin Toner, Hayden Triggs, Sean O’Brien, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Andrew Porter, Jeremy Loughman, Mick Kearney, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Tom Daly,  Zane Kirchner 
Ulster welcome back Ireland wingers Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe from the side that beat Connacht, with Ruan Pienaar moving to 10 in the absence of Paddy Jackson. Rory Best, Chris Henry and Iain Hnderson are also rotated out and rested.   https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/814803545925021696

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