Leinster team v Bulls: Harry Byrne and Luke McGrath selected as some Six Nations Ireland regulars return

Harry Byrne and Luke McGrath will start as the Leinster half-backs for the top-of-the-table clash with Bulls in the RDS on Friday night (7.35pm).

Leinster have decided to bring back a number - but not all of the Six Nations Ireland regulars with Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier notable for their inclusion.

Another quartet, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris and Jamison Gibson-Park have been placed on the bench

Robbie Henshaw of Ireland in action against France in the opening game in Marseille
(Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady)

“It’s always trying to get the balance, isn’t it? You have to respect what’s gone on in the last couple of months," said Leo Cullen of selection.

“If you think there is the Six Nations, which is probably the main event, and there’s the guys that have started and played a good chunk of those games.

“There’s what’s gone on before that in terms of guys having played a good bit of rugby before that as well, some guys hadn’t played that much leading into the Six Nations, so everyone is coming at it from a slightly different situation.

“We are looking at some different combinations. It’s a proper game for us, first against second in the league."

Leinster (v Vodacom Bulls, RDS Arena, Dublin – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA, Referee: Craig Evans, TG4, SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv): Jordan Larmour, Rob Russell, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath; (capt); Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Michael Milne, Tadhg Furlong, Jason Jenkins, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Liam Turner.

Vodacom Bulls: Willie Le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Devon Williams, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (co-capt), Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee (co-capt).

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Mpilo Gumede, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, Harold Vorster.

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