Connors set for starting role as Cullen shuffles pack for Toulouse
Will Connors is expected to get the nod to start for Leinster in tomorrow’s Champions Cup final against Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (2.45).
Despite having been left out of the match-day 23 for the semi-final win over Northampton, Le inst er head coach Leo Cullen is set to recall Connors at openside in place of Josh van der Flier, who may have to make do with a place as one of six forwards on the bench.
Connors has only featured twice in this season’s Champions Cup, but given how well he played in both La Rochelle wins, Cullen may decide to again call upon the Kildare native for his chop-tackling prowess against another big French pack.
Fresh after returning from respective injuries last weekend, Ireland pair Hugo Keenan and James Ryan are set to be included for the trip to London, as Leinster bid to win a fifth European title.
Keenan is in line to start at full-back, while Ryan may be part of a strong Leinster bench.
Jordan Larmour is set to see off stiff competition for his place on the right wing from the fit-again Jimmy O’Brien, who is in danger of missing out entirely, if Cullen decides to go with a 6/2 split on the replacements’ bench.
It would be a major surprise to see Garry Ringrose included as he continues to struggle with a shoulder injury, which means 22-year-old Jamie Osborne is likely to continue in midfield alongside Robbie Henshaw, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne linking up at half-back.
Barring any late mishaps, the Leinster pack will have a familiar look to it, with Caelan Doris in line to continue as skipper, should regular co-captain Ryan find himself among the replacements.
If such a scenario arises, Jason Jenkins and Ross Molony will battle it out for a spot in the second-row next to Joe McCarthy, with the South African lock favoured to edge a tight call.
Ciarán Frawley’s versatility is set to be called upon from the bench, with Leinster and Toulouse set to officially name their teams at midday today.
POSSIBLE LEINSTER TEAM TO PLAY TOULOUSE:
H Keenan; J Larmour, R Henshaw, J Osborne, J Lowe; R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, J Jenkins; R Baird, W Connors, C Doris (capt). Replacements: R Kelleher, C Healy, M Ala’alatoa, J Ryan, J Conan, L McGrath, C Frawley, J van der Flier.