Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose have both been ruled out of Leinster's Investec Champions Cup semi-final with Northampton Saints on Saturday after failing to recover from injury.
Keenan missed out on the quarter-final win over La Rochelle due to a recurrence of a hip issue, while Ringrose has played just once since January due to a shoulder problem.
Head coach Leo Cullen has made two changes from the side that defeated the defending champions three weeks ago, with Josh van der Flier returning to the starting pack at the expense of Will Connors, while Ross Molony comes into the second row in place of Jason Jenkins.
The backline is unchanged from the 40-13 victory over La Rochelle, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne teaming up in the half-backs at Croke Park.
Leinster warm up at Croke Park ahead of captain's run before #ChampionsCup semi-final at Croke Park #RTERugby #LEIvNOR pic.twitter.com/oLMyR7aPrj
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 3, 2024
With Ringrose sidelined, Jamie Osborne continues in the centre alongside Robbie Henshaw, while Ciarán Frawley stays at full-back, having deputised for Keenan this season.
Jordan Larmour and James Lowe continue on the wings.
In the pack, it's a first choice front row of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, with Molony and Joe McCarthy supporting at lock.
With Ringrose and James Ryan still sidelined, Caelan Doris continues at captain, with the number 8 packing down between Van der Flier and Ryan Baird.
The four-time champions have reverted to a 5:3 split on the bench, with Connors missing out on a place in the matchday squad. Jimmy O'Brien comes in as the extra back replacement, with the Ireland international recovering from a neck injury which has kept him out since December.
Meanwhile, Cian Healy is set to become the all-time appearance holder in the history of the Champions Cup, with his 111th appearance moving him ahead of Ronan O'Gara on the all-time list.
Meanwhile, Northampton have suffered a blow after Lewis Ludlam (above) and Ollie Sleightholme were ruled out by injury.
Ludlam, the club captain, is struggling with a shoulder problem while Sleightholme has been recovering from concussion.
Saints hoped they might be ready in time but they will instead head to Dublin without two influential players.
Ludlam’s place in the back row is taken by Sam Graham, while George Hendy is picked on the wing in Sleightholme’s absence.
Leinster: Ciarán Frawley; Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala'alatoa, Jason Jenkins, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Jimmy O'Brien.
Northampton Saints: George Furbank; James Ramm, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, George Hendy; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Alex Waller, Curtis Langdon, Trevor Davison; Alex Moon, Alex Coles; Courtney Lawes (capt), Sam Graham, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Emmanuel Iyogun, Elliot Millar Mills, Temo Mayanavanua, Angus Scott-Young, Tom James, Tom Litchfield, Tom Seabrook.
Additional reporting: PA
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