Byrne comes in for Sexton
LEINSTER will attempt to move within one game of becoming the first side to land a EuropeanPro14 double today without key man Johnny Sexton.
The Ireland stand-off, who marshalled Leinster to Champions Cup glory in Bilbao last Saturday, has a calf strain and misses the sold-out semi-final against Munster at Dublin’s RDS Arena.
With Rob Kearney also sidelined, Leinster have called in Ross Byrne to play at No10, with Joey Carbery at full-back.
“We actually named Johnny on the bench at the start of the week and thought he would be OK. He went to run yesterday and thought it wasn’t 100 per cent and we made the call,” said head coach Leo Cullen.
“Ross has played the majority of our games at No10 this year. We want to reward guys who have got us to this position.
“He had to deal with the disappointment of not being involved in the quarter, semi and final of Europe even though he’d been involved in all six pool games.”
Leinster are also without Robbie Henshaw, whose injury will keep him out of the final at the Aviva Stadium next weekend if his side get there.
Munster second row Jean Kleyn said: “Leinster v Munster has always been a massive clash. We look forward to them.
“They always say play every match like it’s your last – this might be our last. It’s a big motivator for us because we really want that trophy.”
The winners will meet Scarlets in the final after the defending champions beat Glasgow 28-13 at Scotstoun last night thanks to tries from Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies, Rob Evans and Ken Owens.