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Ulster and Leinster have fought hard all year to secure their Guinness PRO14 semi-final places. They finish the regular season tonight, and both teams are eager to build momentum heading into next week’s play-offs.
GUINNESS PRO14: Saturday August 29
Team News: Australian international Sam Carter will be the captain of Ulster for the first time, when Dan McFarland’s men take on undefeated Leinster to start the second weekend of consecutive interprovincial derbies in Dublin.
Everything changes in the front row when Rob Herring, a late retirement last week, returns as a hooker, flanked by Eric O’Sullivan and Tom O’Toole. Ballymena’s man, Matthew Rea, enters the blindside side, with Jordi Murphy and Marcell Coetzee backing up Connacht’s game.
After his debut from the bench against the Westerners, Ian Madigan makes his first outing for Ulster in the number 10 jersey. He teams up with former Leinster teammate John Cooney in medium.
Returning wingers Matt Faddes and Robert Lyttle join Jacob Stockdale in the back-three, the latter looking to add to his try of the 14th round loss. James Hume, who was cleared to play after his concussion the week last, and Stuart McCloskey remain in the center of the field.
Meanwhile, Carlow’s man Ed Byrne will lead Leinster for the first time in a competitive game, captaining the Conference A tabletop players from the front row. Head coach Leo Cullen has made all 23 complete changes to his team since the 27-25 derby win over Munster.
Loosehead Byrne, Sean Cronin, Michael Bent and Devin Toner all rise from the bench, with Ross Molony completing the tight five. Max Deegan presents a last row containing his fellow Academy graduates Josh Murphy and Will Connors.
With Ulster expecting a semi-final trip to Edinburgh in the next few days, Carter is one of eight changes to the team that lost 26-20 to Ulster last Sunday. Fellow 30 year old Sydney native Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
Rob Kearney wins his 219th provincial call-up, placing himself at full back in his first appearance since mid-February. The bottom line is led by Ross Byrne and his partner Jamison Gibson-Park, who represents Leinster for the 90th time.
Hugo Keenan and Cian Kelleher, who have scored four tries in their last five games before the Coronavirus outbreak, occupy the wing spots, while standout midfielder Ciaran Frawley has the first chance to impress at inside center position, along with Rory O’Loughlin.
Tom Clarkson, the promising 20-year-old mainstay of the Academy, is set to make his senior debut from the Leinster bench. The Dublin University clubman has impressed as a close head for Ireland Under-20s for the past 18 months.
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