Garry Ringrose to start for Leinster in Thomond clash

Meanwhile, Munster’s Ian Keatley doesn’t make the matchday 23 after recent criticism

Garry Ringrose makes just his second start for Leinster in their Pro12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park. Photo: Gary Carr/Inpho
Garry Ringrose makes just his second start for Leinster in their Pro12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park. Photo: Gary Carr/Inpho

Garry Ringrose will make just his second start at 13 for Leinster's Pro12 clash with Munster in Thomond Park on Sunday (kick off: 5.15, live on TG4 and Sky Sports 1).

The youngster partners Luke Fitzgerald at centre, while Isa Nacewa captains the side.

With Johnny Sexton absent, Ian Madigan starts at 10, while Sean Cronin is set to make his 100th appearance against his home province. Sexton and Mike Ross had both been injury doubts before the game, and neither have made the 23-man squad.

Meanwhile, for Munster Tommy O’Donnell will be hoping to put his injury nightmare behind him as he’s been named on the bench.

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Anthony Foley’s biggest call is at out-half where the under-fire Ian Keatley is left out and Tyler Bleyendaal comes in to make only his second start at number 10.

Keatley, whose recent form has come in for some criticism, trained on Wednesday but is not part of the matchday 23.

Foley makes three more changes in the pack with BJ Botha cleared to start in the front row after completing the return to play protocols.

Donnacha Ryan returns to the second row while Jack O’Donoghue starts at openside flanker.

MUNSTER: Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Francis Saili, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo, Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Mike Sherry, BJ Botha, Dave Foley, Donnacha Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander (c). Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Billy Holland, Tommy O'Donnell, Tomás O'Leary, Rory Scannell, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.

LEINSTER: Zane Kirchner, Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa (c), Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Tom Denton, Dominic Ryan, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: James Tracy, Cian Healy, Marty Moore, Ross Molony, Josh van der Flier, Nick McCarthy, Cathal Marsh, Dave Kearney.