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Rieko Ioane to make first start as Leo Cullen shuffles Leinster deck

Rieko Ioane will make his first start for Leinster
Rieko Ioane will make his first start for Leinster

Rieko Ioane will make his first Leinster start in Friday night's Investec Champions Cup encounter with Leicester Tigers, with Leo Cullen shuffling his deck for the Pool 3 meeting.

The Leinster head coach has made seven changes to his side, although three have been forced through injury, with Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose and RG Snyman all missing out.

Ringrose and Snyman’s injuries have been described by Leo Cullen as "week-to-week", while Larmour is set for an extended period on the sidelines, with surgery required on a hamstring injury picked up in last week’s meeting with Harlequins.

New Zealand international Ioane, who came off the bench for his debut last week, is promoted to the starting side for Friday’s game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, partnering Robbie Henshaw in an experienced centre pairing.

Cullen has given Harry Byrne an opportunity to impress at out-half, with the 26-year-old swapping in for Sam Prendergast to join Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.

James Lowe returns from a minor knock to take Larmour’s place on the left wing, while Tommy O’Brien continues on the right side, with Jimmy O’Brien at full-back.

In the front row, Paddy McCarthy retains his spot at loosehead prop, and he’s joined by Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong, as Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson move to the bench.

James Ryan returns from his suspension to make his 99th appearance for the province, and joins Joe McCarthy in the second row, with the back row of Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris continuing.

18 October 2025; James Ryan of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Friday night's game will be a fifth meeting of these sides in the last five seasons of Champions Cup rugby.

The Tigers are now coached by former England international lock Geoff Parling, who took over from Michael Cheika in the summer.

Parling actually visited Leinster's training ground last season while he was part of the Wallabies coaching group, and Cullen isn't expecting his Tigers side to approach the game any different to those before.

"It's still based on strong fundamentals, isn't it, like scrum setpiece, lineout maul," the Leinster coach said of this week's opponents, who are without the injured Ollie Chessum, Hanro Liebenberg and Jack van Poortvliet.

"It's been a bit of a disjointed start to the season, as we know, and there has been a bit of chopping and changing in their team as well

"They still have the same attack coach as they had last year, so they have some continuity there. James O'Connor has obviously come in. He's played a couple of games, very experienced player, playing for Australia, and some of the roles that he's played, and some of the big wins that Australia has in recent times

"But they still will kick a lot from nine, a very strong aerial game, both wingers are very their quick fellas, so good in the air. We expect that aerial bombardment coming our way so making sure we deal with that."

While Ioane's selection in the centre is thee eye-catching pick, Friday's game will also be a big opportunity for Byrne (below) to impress.

Harry Byrne

The out-half has started the season in solid form, and remains on the fringes of the Ireland squad, featuring for an Ireland XV in last months game against Spain in Madrid.

"Harry played in this game previously so he's experienced the atmosphere over there before and he knows what to expect," Cullen added.

"And, yeah, Harry has been great since he's come back in. He was away with Bristol for a period last season.

"He was good off the bench last week and it's just about making sure that we’re getting the right balance over the 80 minutes of the game.

"Sam [Prendergast], hopefully, will have his moment at some point as well in the game, and just making sure that those two guys were working well together. Both of them have been excellent."


Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Paddy McCarthy, Rónan Kelleher; Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Ciarán Frawley

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