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Josh 90: Van der Flier in Leinster team for Glasgow

Van der Flier is back in Leinster action this weekend
Van der Flier is back in Leinster action this weekend

Josh van der Flier will earn his 90th Leinster cap on Sunday against Glasgow as he returns to the interprovincial fold after the opening two rounds of Guinness Six Nations.

Having started in the back row for the defeats to Wales and France, Van der Flier's place at openside has been taken by Leinster team-mate Will Connors for the trip to Italy, with Jack Conan offering cover on the bench.

The back-rower will be hoping to impress Andy Farrell and get back in the Test fold for remainder of Six Nations, but he and Leinster will be facing a fully-loded Glasgow side.

The postponement of Sunday's clash with France in Paris means Warriors are able to recall nine members of Gregor Townsend's Dark Blues squad to face the Dublin giants.

Forwards Oli Kebble, Grant Stewart, Richie Gray and Rob Harley are welcomed back, as are half-backs Adam Hastings and Jamie Dobie, centres Huw Jones and Sam Johnson and prop D'Arcy Rae who is named on the bench.

Wilson was preparing to take on the ProRO14 Conference A leaders without his top names but is delighted to now have their services ahead of Sunday's clash.

"We've named an exciting back line blending our experienced internationals with a young promising back three.

"Leinster are the in-form side in the competition. Although they will lose several internationals they are an example of strength and depth. It will still be a massive challenge at the RDS."

Jimmy O'Brien has recovered from a hamstring injury picked up against Munster Rugby to start at full-back for Leinster with Cian Kelleher and Dave Kearney again selected on the wings

Ciarán Frawley has also recovered from a minor shoulder injury to start in the centre with Rory O'Loughlin outside him at 13.

Luke McGrath captains the side and is again joined this week by Harry Byrne at out-half.

Peter Dooley, Seán Cronin and Michael Bent are the front row trio selected by head coach Leo Cullen with Devin Toner and Scott Fardy in the second row.

Toner will win his 258th cap on Sunday moving him even closer again to Gordon D'Arcy's all-time record caps total of 261 for Leinster Rugby.

In the back row Josh Murphy starts at blindside, with Van der Flier back in to start at openside for his 90th Leinster cap.

Finally Scott Penny starts for the first time at number eight in Leinster senior colours.

On the bench Alex Soroka, who only turned 20 last week, is in line to make his Leinster debut should he be introduced.

Soroka's family moved to Ireland from Ukraine shortly before he was born, living in Cork before moving to Dublin. 

The 6' 5" back row is in his first year in the Leinster Academy and went to Belvedere College. He plays his club rugby with Dublin University FC. He has two Ireland Under 20s caps from the cancelled Six Nations campaign in 2020, scoring one try in the win against England.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Cian Kelleher, Rory O’Loughlin, Ciarán Frawley, Dave Kearney; Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath (Capt); Peter Dooley, Seán Cronin, Michael Bent, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy, Josh Murphy, Josh van der Flier, Scott Penny.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Marcus Hanan, Tom Clarkson, Jack Dunne, Alex Soroka, Rowan Osborne, David Hawkshaw, Jamie Osborne.

Glasgow Warriors: Ollie Smith; Rufus McLean, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Cole Forbes; Adam Hastings, Jamie Dobie; Oli Kebble, Grant Stewart, Enrique Pieretto; Richie Gray, Leone Nakarawa; Rob Harley, Thomas Gordon, Ryan Wilson (capt)

Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Aki Seiuli, D’arcy Rae, Gregor Brown, TJ Ioane, Sean Kennedy, Ross Thompson, Robbie Fergusson.

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