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Jordie Barrett on the bench as Robbie Henshaw starts against Northampton Saints

Jordie Barrett, pictured at the captain's run on Friday is among the replacements for the Champions Cup semi-final
Jordie Barrett, pictured at the captain's run on Friday is among the replacements for the Champions Cup semi-final

Leinster will hold Jordie Barrett and Andrew Porter back on the bench for Saturday's Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints.

Leo Cullen has made three changes from the side that started the quarter-final win against Glasgow Warriors, with captain Caelan Doris back in the starting team, as well as Robbie Henshaw and Dan Sheehan.

Henshaw comes in to partner Garry Ringrose in midfield, with Barrett kept in reserve on a powerful bench for the visit of the Premiership champions.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast team up as expected in the half-backs, while Tommy O’Brien continues on the right wing after his impressive recent form.

James Lowe is on the left wing as usual, while Hugo Keenan completes the backline at full-back.

Cian Healy starts at loosehead prop, with Porter in line for an early introduction off the bench, as he did against the Warriors.

Sheehan is named at hooker, while Tadhg Furlong starts at tighthead.

RG Snyman starts alongside Joe McCarthy in the second row, with James Ryan still injured, and Ryan Baird covering the back five on the bench.

Max Deegan is retained at blindside flanker, with Jack Conan among the replacements, while Josh van der Flier and Doris also start in the back row.


Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; RG Snyman, Joe McCarthy; Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Rabah Slimani, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jordie Barrett.

Northampton Saints: James Ramm; Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall (capt) Rory Hutchinson, Tom Litchfield; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon, Trevor Davison; Temo Mayanavanua, Alex Coles; Josh Kemeny, Henry Pollock, Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom West, Elliot Millar-Mills, Tom Lockett, Chunya Munga, Angus Scott-Young, Tom James, Tom Seabrook.

Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)

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Watch the Champions Cup semi-final, Leinster v Northampton Saints, on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

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