Rugby

Joey Carbery and Byrne start as Leinster and Munster name teams

John Ryan comes into the Munster side at tighthead prop for soldout RDS semi-final

Jack Conan and Joey Carbery both start for Leinster on Saturday. Photograph: Oisin Keniry/Inpho

Fri May 18 2018 - 12:35

Joey Carbery will start at fullback for Leinster in Saturday's Pro14 semi-final against Munster. Jordan Larmour and James Lowe start on either wing with Ross Byrne at outhalf.

Johnny Sexton misses out with a groin injury and Robbie Henshaw has been ruled out with a knee injury. Rob Kearney is rested, as is Scott Fardy after clocking 1,485 minutes over 20 games this season.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named Isa Nacewa as Garry Ringrose’s centre partner, while Luke McGrath will start at scrumhalf.

In the pack Jack McGrath comes in to start and is joined by Seán Cronin and Tadhg Furlong.

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It’s as you were in the second row with Devin Toner once again partnering James Ryan. Rhys Ruddock and Jack Conan start with Jordi Murphy moving to the openside from number eight in what will also be his last home game.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has made one change to the starting XV that defeated Edinburgh in the quarter-final qualifier as John Ryan comes into the side at tighthead prop.

Hooker Rhys Marshall, a try-scorer in the Edinburgh win, is set to make his 50th appearance for Munster in the clash.

Simon Zebo starts at fullback with Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on the flanks.

Rory Scannell is partnered by Sammy Arnold in the centres with the halfback pairing of Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan also unchanged.

Niall Scannell returns from injury to take his place on the bench Dave Kilcoyne.

The game kicks off at the RDS Arena at 3.15pm and is completely sold out.

LEINSTER: Joey Carbery; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Isa Nacewa (capt), James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong; Devin Toner, James Ryan; Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan.

Replacements: James Tracey, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Scott Fardy, Max Deegan, Nick McCarthy, Rory O’Loughlin, Barry Daly.

MUNSTER: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Ciaran Parker, Gerbrandt Grobler, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Darren Sweetnam.

Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU).

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