Leinster bring back the big guns for Bulls showdown

Leinster have brought back some of their big guns for this Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final against the Vodacom Bulls, returning British and Irish Lions Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier to the team for the big match.

Ringrose was struggling with a calf injury while Van der Flier had a hamstring strain as both missed the team’s semifinal win over defending champions Glasgow Warriors last weekend but will be ready for the Bulls.

Their return will make the home side even bigger favourites as their star-studded line-up is a virtual test side in club colours.

Jack Conan will captain Leinster for the final as they attempt to win their first URC title in the four seasons the tournament has been going while Ringrose will partner All Black Jordie Barrett in the midfield while Van der Flier’s return means that Ryan Baird will link up at blindside in a potent back three.

Double World Cup winner RG Snyman is on a very potent bench that includes French international Rabah Slimani and two players in Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne who have a combined 418 caps between them.

Interestingly Leinster have stuck with young Sam Prendergast at flyhalf, while there was some speculation that he would be on the bench while Byrne, in his final game for the province, would get a start.

Tommy O’Brien and James Lowe provide the firepower on the wings, while the front row of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson are well known in URC circles.

Either way this is as strong a side as Leinster could have put out and it underlines the fact that they are strong favourites for the final

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan (captain), Josh van der Flier, Ryan Baird, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Bryne, Jamie Osborne.