British and Irish Lions quartet Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier are among those who return to Leinster’s starting side for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Scarlets (live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1).
In total, Leo Cullen has made six changes to his side following the Round 18 win against Glasgow Warriors.
Jamie Osborne and Rónan Kelleher also come into the starting team, among five players who started the 35-22 defeat to the Welsh region last month.
Kelleher starts at hooker, with Dan Sheehan dropping to the bench, while Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson continue at prop.
McCarthy comes in to join James Ryan at lock, while RG Snyman will be primed to come on as a replacement.
Jack Conan continues as captain in the absence of Caelan Doris, with Ryan Baird also retaining his place at blindside flanker and Van der Flier taking the place of Scott Penny.
Gibson-Park replaces Fintan Gunne at scrum-half, joining Sam Prendergast behind the scrum, while Jordie Barrett continues at 12, and Osborne replaces the injured Robbie Henshaw.
Jimmy O’Brien moves from left wing to right and will make his 100th appearance for the province, while Lowe starts on the left, and Hugo Keenan continues at full-back.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (capt).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley.
Munster interim head coach Ian Costello has named the same starting team for the third game in a row for Saturday’s quarter-final against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.
The Round 18 win against Benetton saw the province name an unchanged side for the first time since January 2018 – a run of 188 games – but the province are putting faith in that same XV at Kings Park this weekend.
Retiring pair Peter O’Mahony and and Stephen Archer are both in the starting team for what could be their final Munster appearances before retirement, while Conor Murray is among the replacements ahead of his departure this summer.
There is also a landmark appearance among the subs for centre Rory Scannell, who will make his 200th Munster appearance if selected. The 31-year-old could also be playing his final game for Munster, with his future uncertain.
Michael Milne, Niall Scannell and Archer continue in the front row, with Scannell fit to play after departing for a head injury assessment in the win against Benetton two weeks ago.
Tadhg Beirne captains the side from second row, where he is joined by Jean Kleyn, with O’Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes in the back row.
Craig Casey and Jack Crowley team up in an Irish international half-back pairing, with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell in the centre as usual.
Thaakir Abrahams starts at full-back, with Mike Haley among the subs, while Calvin Nash and Diarmuid Kilgallen are on the wings.
Munster Rugby: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Mike Haley.
