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Johnny Sexton returns to captain Leinster in last-16 clash
Sunday, 04 April 2021 - 10:52 | Views - 603

The Champions Cup returns on Friday as two matches take place, including the huge clash between European giants Leinster and Toulon.

Leinster v Toulon

Johnny Sexton starts for Leinster and will captain the side, with James Lowe also back in the team this week, as they prepare to face Toulon in the Champions Cup last-16.

Hugo Keenan continues at full-back with Jordan Larmour again on the right wing and Lowe coming in on the left for his 50th Leinster cap.

It’s as you were in the centre with Robbie Henshaw partnering Rory O’Loughlin.

Luke McGrath is at scrum-half having captained Leinster last week to PRO14 glory, with Sexton back to start as captain at 10.

In the pack, there is one change in the front-row with Cian Healy and Rónan Kelleher joined by Tadhg Furlong.

In the second-row, Devin Toner is joined by Ryan Baird who starts for the second time in Europe.

Finally, in the back-row, it’s the same trio that started against Munster with Rhys Ruddock at blindside, Josh van der Flier at openside and last week’s player of the match Jack Conan at number eight.

Meanwhile, Gabin Villière has returned from injury to take his place in the Toulon XV for Friday’s encounter.

The three-time champions were thrashed 54-16 by Lyon in the Top 14 last weekend and have made a number of changes to their side.

Experienced New Zealander Ma’a Nonu is suspended following a red card in that league match, which means Rudi Wulf starts at centre and he is joined by Julien Heriteau in the midfield.

Duncan Paia’aua moves to fly-half with Louis Carbonel absent and is joined in the half-backs by captain Baptiste Serin, who returns from international duty.

There are also a number of alterations up front as Charles Ollivon, Swan Rebbadj and Romain Taofifenua all return following their excursions with France.

The teams:

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Rory O’Loughlin, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Ryan Baird, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Scott Fardy, 21 Hugh O’Sullivan, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Dave Kearney

Toulon: 15 Gervais Cordin, 14 Masivesi Dakuwaqa, 13 Rudi Wulf, 12 Julien Heriteau, 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Duncan Paia’aua, 9 Baptiste Serin (c), 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Swan Rebbadj, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Jean Baptiste-Gros
Replacements: 16 Bastien Soury, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Emerick Setiano, 19 Raphael Lakafia, 20 Julien Ory, 21 Frederick du Plessis, 22 Anthony Meric, 23 Simon Moretti

 

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