Doris Back for Leinster, Munster Shuffles Lineup

Captain Caelan Doris will be back for Leinster in their BKT United Rugby Championship match against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday night.

Leo Cullen has made several changes to the team that defeated Connacht last weekend. Jamie Osborne returns from injury to start at fullback, with Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien on the wings. Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose form a well-known partnership in the center, while Luke McGrath and Sam Prendergast take the half-back positions.

In the forward pack, Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, and Rabah Slimani are selected as the front row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan back in the second row. Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier—marking his 150th appearance for Leinster—and Doris round out the starting XV.

Munster has made seven changes to the team that secured a bonus-point victory against Ulster last week. Tadhg Beirne returns to captain the side, joined by Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager, and Alex Kendellen in the starting lineup. Tom Ahern shifts to the back row.

The back three remains unchanged with Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, and Shane Daly. Rory Scannell and last week’s Player of the Match, Tom Farrell, are in the midfield. Coughlan and Burns pair up as the half-backs.

Bleuler, having completed the return-to-play protocols, starts at loosehead prop alongside Niall Scannell and Oli Jager in the front row. Fineen Wycherley and Beirne are the locks, with Ahern, Kendellen, and Gavin Coombes completing the back row.

The replacements for Munster are Diarmuid Barron, Academy prop Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, and Academy back three player Ben O’Connor.

Injury updates show Peter O’Mahony (calf contusion), Conor Murray (elbow), and Jack O’Donoghue (shoulder) are still unavailable. Jack Crowley is also unavailable due to IRFU player management guidelines.

Munster’s lineup

Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Munster’s replacements

Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O’Connor.

Leinster’s lineup

Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien, Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, Rónan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Leinster’s replacements

Lee Barron, Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Brian Deeny, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour.