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Lowe returns for Leinster as Stade Francais visit the Aviva

Jan 12, 2024 12:39 By Dave Hooper
Lowe returns for Leinster as Stade Francais visit the Aviva
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James Lowe makes his first appearance of the season, as Luke McGrath is set to win 200th Leinster cap

Garry Ringrose captains Leinster against Stade Francais in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.

The Investec Champions Cup game is the first match between the two sides since the 2013 Amlin Challenge Cup Final.

The backline sees one change from the team that defeated Sale Sharks in the RDS last month. Whereas, there is a welcome return for James Lowe who makes his first appearance of the season.

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Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with Jordan Larmour and Lowe named on the wings. Indeed, Ringrose is joined by Robbie Henshaw in the centre, with Ciarán Frawley and Jamison Gibson-Park completing the backline.

Meanwhile, there are two changes in the pack from the Sale win, with Tadhg Furlong and Joe McCarthy returning to the starting XV.

Furlong joins Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan in an experienced front-row, while Jason Jenkins partners McCarthy in the second row. Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris complete the back-row for the second European game in a row.

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Luke McGrath to make 200th apperance

Among the replacements, Cian Healy is the only player named in the squad to have played in the last match between the sides, while Luke McGrath is set to make his 200th Leinster appearance if called upon.

Indeed, the 30-year-old becomes the eleventh player to reach 200 caps for Leinster, and has won 19 Ireland caps to date.

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Leinster: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Jordan Larmour, 13. Garry Ringrose (C), 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Ciarán Frawley, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. Jason Jenkins, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris.

Replacements: 16. Rónan Kelleher, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. James Ryan, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Sam Prendergast, 23. Tommy O’Brien.

Leinster v Stade Francais

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Aviva Stadium

Saturday January 13, Kick-off: 5:30pm

Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)

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