Rugby

Dan Leavy returns to Leinster side to take on Lions

Rhys Ruddock captains on 200th appearance as Byrne brothers combine once again

Dan Leavy returns from injury to line out against the Lions. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

Thu Feb 24 2022 - 13:03

Dan Leavy returns to the starting Leinster lineup for their clash with the Lions at the RDS on Friday night.

Injury has ruled the flanker out since November but he has been passed fit to pack down in the backrow alongside Josh Murphy and Rhys Ruddock, the latter captaining the side on his 200th Leinster appearance.

Joe McCarthy makes his second start for the province as he comes into the secondrow, while Ed Byrne also starts at prop. Tommy O’Brien and Max O’Reilly come into the backthree in the other changes to the side that beat the Ospreys as Ryan Baird, Cian Healy, Jordan Larmour and Jimmy O’Brien have all linked up with the Ireland squad.

Ross and Harry Byrne link up again at outhalf and centre to continue their midfield axis.

READ MORE

Adam Byrne has come back into the squad as he takes a place on the pench, as does Scott Penny who has made way for Leavy.

Leinster: Max O'Reilly; Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Harry Byrne, Dave Kearney; Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy; Ed Byrne, James Tracy, Michael Ala'alatoa; Devin Toner, Joe McCarthy, Josh Murphy, Dan Leavy, Rhys Ruddock.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Peter Dooley, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Dunne, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Adam Byrne, Scott Penny.

Dan LeavyHarry ByrneLeinster