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Sam Prendergast at out-half as Leinster change 14 for Ulster

Sam Prendergast steps up to replace Harry Byrne
Sam Prendergast steps up to replace Harry Byrne

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has changed all but one of his team for the BKT United Rugby Championship interpro clash with Ulster on New Year's Day (live on RTÉ Radio 1).

Only Rob Russell has been retained from the starting XV that won 9-3 in Thomond Park on St Stephen's Day for Monday's showdown at the RDS.

Russell is joined in the back three by Jimmy O'Brien and by Tommy O'Brien, who makes a welcome return from injury after scoring three tries in four starts up until November.

Robbie Henshaw and Liam Turner come into the centre, while Jamison Gibson-Park is passed fit after missing the trip to Limerick.

Outside him will be 20-year-old out-half Sam Prendergast, who gets his first taste of senior inter-provincial action in what will be his second start of the season.

Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson is the front row selected by Cullen, with Jason Jenkins and captain James Ryan packing down behind them.

Ryan Baird and Will Connors, both of whom came off the bench in Thomond Park, start this week, with Caelan Doris completing the pack.

On the bench, Academy prop Jack Boyle gets the chance to impress once again, having been a traveling extra in Limerick, while Luke McGrath, if introduced, will move a step closer to becoming a double-centurion when making his 199th appearance.

Steven Kitshoff is back in for Ulster

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has made just five changes to the XV that beat Connacht by a point, four day before Leinster-Munster.

World Cup-winning Springbok Steven Kitshoff starts in an all new front row, alongside returning hooker Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole at tight-head prop.

The second row of Kieran Treadwell and captain Iain Henderson is unchanged, as is the back row of
Matty Rea at blindside flanker, Sean Reffell at openside and Nick Timoney at eight. The latter is hoping to continue his try-scoring form after three tries in his last two matches.

John Cooney starts at scrum-half and is partnered by Billy Burns at No 10, who returns to the team after missing the Connacht clash with injury.

Jacob Stockdale and Rob Baloucoune retain their places at left and right wing while Stuart McCloskey starts at inside centre and is joined by Luke Marshall at 13, who returns after last featuring against Glasgow Warriors in round six.

Will Addison retains his place at full-back to complete the starting XV.

McFarland opts for a 5:3 split on the bench as Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Alan O’Connor, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry and Jude Postlethwaite provide the replacement options.

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Liam Turner, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Russell; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park;
Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Jason Jenkins, James Ryan (capt); Ryan Baird, Will Connors, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jack Boyle, Michael Ala'alatoa, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Josh van der Flier.

Ulster: Will Addison; Rob Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole; Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson; Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Alan O’Connor, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, Jude Postlethwaite.

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Watch Leinster v Ulster in the URC on New Year's Day from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Listen to live commentary of both Leinster v Ulster and Connacht v Munster RTÉ Radio 1, and follow our live blogs on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.

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