Ciarán Frawley and Sam Prendergast start for Leinster, Jordie Barrett kept in reserve
DEBUT INCOMING: Leinster's Jordie Barrett. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho
Leinster boss Leo Cullen has kept All Black Jordie Barrett in reserve for their Champions Cup opener against Premiership outfit Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Sunday.
Cullen has managed to fit both Sam Prendergast and Ciarán Frawley into his starting 15 that shows nine changes from the URC win over Ulster last time out. Frawley starts at full-back in the injury absence of Hugo Keenan, while Prendergast will don the 10 jersey, as he has done in green against Fiji and Australia of late.
Speculation of a debut for new signing Barrett has been rife this week, with special consideration given to the position the versatile back would play, but Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw will form the midfield partnership on this occassion, with the former Hurricane among the replacements.
Frawley is joined by Jordan Larmour and Jimmy O'Brien in the back three.
In the pack, Max Deegan keeps his place alongside captain Jack Conan, with Josh van der Flier returning from Irish duty to complete the back row.
Joe McCarthy and James Ryan make up the second row with Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani retained from the win over Ulster, while Rónan Kelleher slots in at hooker.
Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath offer the halfback cover from the bench, with Gus McCarthy and new Irish caps Thomas Clarkson returning to the Leinster matchday squad,
There is serious firepower for Cullen to call on, with club captain Caelan Doris taking the number 20 shirt, while RG Snyman is primed to make an impact in the second-half.
C Frawley; J Larmour, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J O’Brien; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; J Boyle, R Kelleher, R Slimani; J McCarthy, J Ryan; M Deegan, J van der Flier, J Conan.
G McCarthy, A Porter, T Clarkson, RG Snyman, C Doris, L McGrath, R Byrne, J Barrett.
S Moore; W Kok, B Carson, S McCloskey, M Lowry; A Morgan, N Doak; A Warwick, J McCormick, S Wilson; A O’Connor, H Sheridan; Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, J McNabney.
R Herring, E O’Sullivan, T O’Toole, I Henderson, C Izuchukwu, D Shanahan, J Postlethwaite N. Timoney.
S Jennings; C Mullins, D Hawkshaw, C Forde, S Cordero; J Carty, C Blade; J Duggan, D Tierney-Martin, J Aungier; D Murray, O Dowling; J Murphy, S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle.
E de Buitlear, T Lasisi, F Barrett, D O’Connor, O McCormack, M Devine, S Naughton, B Ralston.
