Rugby

Connacht and Leinster name teams for Edinburgh showdown

Leading Leinster try scorer Isa Nacewa misses out on curtain-closer in Edinburgh

Leinster’s Isaw Nacewa will miss the Pro12 final versus Connacht in Murrayfield. Photo: Inpho

Fri May 27 2016 - 14:28

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made two changes to his team for tomorrow's Guinness Pro12 Grand Final against Connacht in Murrayfield.

Captain and leading try-scorer Isa Nacewa misses out on the curtain-closer in Edinburgh with an arm injury sustained in the win over Ulster last weekend. Rob Kearney, who returned to training this week after a fortnight out with an ankle injury, comes straight back into the starting line-up at fullback.

There is no place for Fergus McFadden after his return from suspension as the rest of the back-line on the field and bench remains unchanged.

Ex-Connacht man Mick Kearney starts in the second row alongside Ross Molony. Devin Toner is not in the 23 for personal reasons which Leo Cullen is likely to address at this afternoon’s press conference in Edinburgh. Hayden Triggs comes in among the replacements along side Ian Madigan who will hope to make his final appearance for his home province before setting off for France.

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Meanwhile, Pat Lam has stuck with the same side that eliminated defending champions Glasgow Warriors in last weekend’s semi-final at the Sportsground.

The men from the west will be captained by John Muldoon, who will aim to lead them to a 17th Pro12 win of the season which would secure their first ever title.

LEINSTER: Rob Kearney; Dave Kearney, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Ross Molony, Mick Kearney, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip (capt). Replacements: Sean Cronin, Peter Dooley, Tadhg Furlong, Hayden Triggs, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ian Madigan, Zane Kirchner.

CONNACHT: Tiernan O'Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy; AJ MacGinty, Kieran Marmion; Ronan Loughney, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Aly Muldowney, Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (capt). Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Rodney Ah You, Andrew Browne, Sean O'Brien, John Cooney, Shane O'Leary, Peter Robb.

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