Here Are Munster & Leinster’s Expected Line-Ups For This Weekend

by Will Matthews · April 19, 2018

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Final four.

Munster and Leinster will fly the Irish flag in Europe this weekend, and will be hoping they can set-up a Champions Cup final between the pair for the very first time.

Leinster are up first on Saturday, with Scarlets set to descend up the Aviva Stadium, in what promises to be an exciting affair with plenty of free-flowing action.

Leo Cullen looks set to make a number of changes for the clash, some forced, others not. The bigs news is Robbie Henshaw is fit and is set to come straight back into their starting line-up. The bad news is Luke McGrath is not, meaning James Lowe misses out.

Isa Nacewa looks set to shift out onto the wing, replacing Lowe, while Jamison Gibson-Park comes in for McGrath. The pack that started the Saracens game is expected to get the nod again, with fit again Jack Conan on the bench.

Expected Leinster Team vs Scarlets

15. Rob Kearney
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Garry Ringrose
11. Isa Nacewa
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Cian Healy
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. James Ryan
6. Scott Fardy
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jordi Murphy

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan, Max Deegan, Nick McCarthy, Joey Carbery, Rory O’Loughlin/Jordan Larmour.

Munster meanwhile, will take on Racing 92 in Bordeaux on Sunday. They’re also set to welcome back a Grand Slam star in the shape of the prolific Keith Earls. He’s also expected to come straight back into the starting line-up, but it’s Simon Zebo who will surprisingly likely miss out.

In the pack head coach Johann van Graan is sweating on the fitness of Jack O’Donoghue. The flanker will travel with the squad, and a final decision will be made on him before tomorrow’s team announcement. Robin Copeland and Conor Oliver are on standby.