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Rugby

19th Jan 2018

Rob Kearney returns as Leinster name team to face Montpellier

Jack O'Toole

Rob Kearney has been recalled.

After he was dropped for Leinster’s landslide win over Glasgow last weekend, the Ireland international returns to the starting side for this weekend’s trip to Montpellier, with Jordan Larmour moving to the wing in place of Fergus McFadden.

McFadden moves to the bench in a reshuffled backline with Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park replacing Johnny Sexton (fit and available) and Luke McGrath respectively.

Meanwhile in the forwards, Dan Leavy has come in at blindside flanker for Jordi Murphy while James Ryan returns in the second row from an ankle injury in what is only his second Champions Cup start of the season in his 10th appearance for Leinster.

Ireland international Joey Carbery is also set to return in what should be his first game back from a broken wrist. Carbery has not played since Ireland defeated Fiji in the November internationals.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets): 

15. Rob Kearney (192)
14. Jordan Larmour (13)
13. Robbie Henshaw (21)
12. Isa Nacewa (178) CAPTAIN
11. James Lowe (4)
10. Ross Byrne (40)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (42)
1. Cian Healy (183)
2. Seán Cronin (144)
3. Tadhg Furlong (77)
4. Devin Toner (210)
5. James Ryan (9)
6. Dan Leavy (48)
7. Josh van der Flier (59)
8. Jack Conan (66)

16. Bryan Byrne (21)
17. Jack McGrath (124)
18. Andrew Porter (21)
19. Ross Molony (54)
20. Jordi Murphy (98)
21. Luke McGrath (87)
22. Joey Carbery (29)
23. Fergus McFadden (163)

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)