Leinster team: Ireland pair overcome injury concerns as James Lowe and Rieko Ioane set to make final bow
Dan Sheehan (left) and Caelan Doris (right) have been deemed fit for Leinster's URC final v the Bulls
Ireland Test pair Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan have been deemed fit to make Leinster’s 23-man squad for Friday night’s United Rugby Championship (URC) final against the Bulls, in a huge boost for head coach Leo Cullen.
The duo were sent for further assessments on injuries in the wake of their URC semi-final win over the Stormers, but have both passed their tests to make the squad. Captain Doris will lead the side out from number eight, while Sheehan features on the bench.
Leinster make three changes for URC final
Elsewhere, boss Cullen has made three changes from the 20-11 win over the Stormers last time out, with Jerry Cahir and Tadhg Furlong called into the front-row and Tommy O’Brien on the wing.
With just the three changes, Hugo Keenan continues at full-back, with O’Brien joining outgoing James Lowe on the wings. Rieko Ioane will also make his final appearance for Leinster in the showpiece game at Croke Park, starting at outside centre. Jamie Osborne partners him in midfield.
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Sam Prendergast also keeps his spot at fly-half, ahead of both Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley, while Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half.
Doris joins Josh van der Flier and Max Deegan in the back-row, while James Ryan and Joe McCarthy form the lock partnership. Furlong and Cahir join Rónan Kelleher in the starting front-row.
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Cullen has opted for a 5:3 split on the bench, with Sheehan named alongside fellow forwards Alex Usanov, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan and Jack Conan, while Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne and Garry Ringrose are the backs on the replacements list.
Leinster are unable to call on Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Jack Boyle, Will Connors, Hugh Cooney, RG Snyman, Charlie Tector and Paddy McCarthy.
Leinster team v Bulls in full
Starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Max Deegan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Jerry Cahir
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Alex Usanov, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Diarmuid Mangan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose
Date: Friday, June 19
Venue: Croke Park (Dublin)
Kick-off: 19:30 (local Dublin), 19:30 (UK), 20:30 (France), 20:30 (South Africa), 04:30 (20 June, AEST), 06:30 (20 June, New Zealand), 15:30 (Argentina), 03:30 (20 June, JST), 14:30 (EDT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (WRU), Ben Breakspear (WRU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv