Will Connors has earned a starting role in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final against Toulouse in London, with Leo Cullen reverting back to his winning formula from the quarter-finals.
The flanker comes into the first XV as one of three changes to the side that started the semi-final win against Northampton Saints three weeks ago, while Garry Ringrose has failed in his bid to recover from a long-term shoulder issue in time.
Connors replaces Josh van der Flier at openside flanker, while Van der Flier is set to feature off the bench as part of a 6:2 split of forwards and backs.
It’s a strategy that worked for the province in their two biggest wins of the season, when they defeated defending champions La Rochelle in the pool stage in December, before seeing off Ronan O’Gara’s side again in the quarter-finals last month.
The other notable selection sees Jason Jenkins preferred in the second row to James Ryan. The South African partners Joe McCarthy at lock, with Ryan among the replacements, and Caelan Doris captaining the side.
Hugo Keenan, who is set to link up with the Ireland Sevens team next week, starts at full-back after missing the quarter and semi-final victories, with his return seeing Ciarán Frawley move to the bench, where he will provide cover at out-half, centre and full-back.
The rest of the side is as expected, with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong starting in front of McCarthy and Jenkins.
Ryan Baird, who is the only player to have played every minute of this season’s Champions Cup, retains his place at blindside flanker, completing the pack alongside Doris and Connors.
There’s no surprise in the half-backs, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne partnered together, while Jamie Osborne continues alongside Robbie Henshaw in the centre due to the absence of Ringrose.
Jordan Larmour and James Lowe start on the wings, as Jimmy O’Brien narrowly misses out despite an impressive return from injury in recent weeks.
Cian Healy is included among the replacements, where he is looking to become the tournament’s first ever five-time winner. The 36-year-old is already the tournament’s record appearance holder, while this weekend will see him feature in an eighth final, having set the record of seven last year.
Meanwhile, Joshua Brennan (below) is set to feature for Toulouse in his first European final.
The versatile forward, son of former Ireland, Leinster and Toulouse flanker Trevor, is named on the bench by head coach Ugo Mola.
The Toulouse boss has named an unchanged team from the XV that defeated Harlequins in the semi-final, with Scotland international Blair Kinghorn notably preferred to Thomas Ramos at full-back.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Jason Jenkins; Ryan Baird, Will Connors, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, Josh van der Flier.
Toulouse: Blair Kinghorn; Juan Cruz Mallia, Paul Costes, Pita Ahki, Matthis Lebel; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Dorian Aldegheri; Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou; Jack Willis, Francois Cros, Alexandre Roumat
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Rodrigue Neti, Joel Merkler, Richie Arnold, Joshua Brennan, Paul Graou, Santiago Chocobares, Thomas Ramos
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