Leinster: All Blacks star Jordie Barrett drafted into starting XV to face La Rochelle
Jordie Barrett ahead of Leinster's clash with Bristol Bears in Champions Cup 2024.
Leinster ace Jordie Barrett has been drafted into his squad’s starting XV to face La Rochelle this weekend, following an 11th-hour injury to Tommy O’Brien.
It is understood O’Brien picked up a knock during his side’s captain’s run ahead of their latest clash with bitter European rivals La Rochelle, and Barrett will now occupy the number 15 jersey.
Jordie Barrett to start for Leinster against La Rochelle
Ireland international Jamie Osborne moves to the wing, with Ciaran Frawley coming onto the bench for the All Black.
Despite the last minute changes, Leinster still have a very strong side named for their seemingly annual rematch with the two-time champions. Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong start in the front-row. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan partner up at lock, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and skipper Caelan Doris forming a tasty back-row.
In the backline, Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half, partnering Irish breakthrough star Sam Prendergast, who is named at 10. Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose continue their fine midfield partnership, with the aforementioned combination of Osborne and Barrett joining Jimmy O’Brien in the back-three.
Leo Cullen has named an incredibly strong bench too. Gus McCarthy, Andrew Porter, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Jack Conan are the forward options, with Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne and the aforementioned Frawley the backs on the replacements list.
Leinster team to face La Rochelle in full
Leinster: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Jamie Osborne, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Ciaran Frawley
Venue: Stade Marcel Deflandre
Kick-off: 16:15 local (15:15 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White (Sco), Ian Tempest (Eng)
TMO: Matthew Carley (Eng)
