Sean Cronin has recovered from his calf injury to take his place in the Leinster starting line-up, for tomorrow's Heienken Champions Cup final against Saracens in Newcastle.
The hooker - whose six tries in this season's competition have him tied at the top of the charts with Jacob Stockdale - hasn't played since the semi-final win against Toulouse, but has been passed fit by head coach Leo Cullen, as Leinster go in search of back-to-back titles, and a record fifth European crown.
Here is your 23-man #LeinsterRugby squad to face @Saracens at St James' Park tomorrow in the Heineken #ChampionsCup Final. #LEIvSAR #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/IhjLIgPWxE
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 10, 2019
There are no surprises in the starting 15, with Leo Cullen naming the same team that started the last four win against Toulouse three weeks ago. As expected Cronin is joined in the front row by Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy. Healy will be starting his fifth Champions Cup final, he and Johnny Sexton are the only two to have been a continuous presence in the Leinster starting line-ups across those deciders.
In the second row, last year's final Man of the Match James Ryan packs down alongside Devin Toner, while Sean O'Brien, Scott Fardy and Jack Conan complete the forwards.
In the backline, Luke McGrath and Johnny Sexton make up the half-back partnership, with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose taking their places in midfield.
With back-up scrum half Jamison Gibson Park injured, it means Leo Cullen's non-EU selection dilemma was taken out of his hands. James Lowe starts on the left wing, looking to add to his incredible try-scoring rate. The New Zealander has crossed the line 20 times in just 27 appearances since joining from the Chiefs last year.
Jordan Larmour wears the number 14 shirt on the right wing, while Rob Kearney will play in his fourth final, having missed the 2011 decider in Cardiff due to injury.
On the bench, Leo Cullen has made one notable change, with Jack McGrath resuming his place among the substitutes. The Ulster-bound loosehead had been third choice for much of the season, but gets the nod ahead of Ed Byrne. Michael Bent, James Tracy, Rhys Ruddock, Max Deegan, Hugh O'Sullivan, Ross Byrne and Rory O'Loughlin complete the matchday 23.
LEINSTER: Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, James Ryan, Scott Fardy, Sean O'Brien, Jack Conan
SUBS: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Rhys Ruddock, Max Deegan, Hugh O'Sullivan, Ross Byrne, Rory O'Loughlin
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