Doris and Sheehan pass fit as Leinster name Lowe for farewell URC final

Caelan Doris will captain Leinster in the United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday, having been passed fit after sustaining a knee injury in the semi-final victory over the Stormers. Dan Sheehan, who missed that semi-final with knee and shoulder injuries, has also been cleared to feature, giving Leo Cullen a significant double boost ahead of the showpiece.

Sheehan will begin the match on the bench, with Ronan Kelleher taking the starting hooker berth in the front row. With Andrew Porter unavailable, Jerry Cahir will start at loosehead prop, supported by Alex Usanov from the bench.

The occasion carries extra weight for James Lowe, who lines up on the left wing in what will be his final appearance for Leinster. Tommy O’Brien starts on the opposite flank, while Rieko Ioane and Jamie Osborne form the midfield partnership. Sam Prendergast is Cullen’s preferred choice at fly-half for the final.

The Bulls arrive at Croke Park having lost three of the last four URC finals, making this another opportunity to convert their status as perennial contenders into a first championship. Leinster, by contrast, are chasing further silverware on home soil, with Doris’s fitness in particular a major relief given his importance to the side’s structure and leadership.