Van der Flier recalled as Leinster make five changes to face Sharks in Durban

Leinster head to Durban for their URC Round 2 fixture against the Sharks on Saturday with five changes from the side beaten by the Lions last weekend, as head coach Leo Cullen seeks an immediate response at Kings Park.

Josh van der Flier is the headline returnee, slotting into the back row alongside Ryan Baird and No.8 Josh Ericson. Rónan Kelleher is restored as captain at hooker, with Thomas Clarkson joining the front row and Andrew Porter switching to loosehead.

Caspar Gabriel keeps the No.10 jersey for a second successive week, continuing his partnership with hat-trick scrum-half Fintan Gunne. Sam Prendergast, who returns to the matchday squad, must settle for a place on the bench. Robbie Henshaw comes back into midfield alongside Hugh Cooney, while the back three of Andrew Osborne, Tommy O’Brien and Todd Lawlor is unchanged.

Assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal acknowledged the team is still working through an evolving attacking system. “We have to work hard at it, and we have to make sure the time we put into it is quality time,” he said. “Defence is almost more structured than attack at times, so you have to work out how to break that down. We’re enjoying that process at the moment. It’s definitely not the end product, but we’ve made good strides in the preseason, and we’ll continue to do so.”

The Sharks, who claimed a win in Round 1, are relishing the occasion. Head coach JP Pietersen said: “The champions are coming to Durban, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Leinster are one of the best sides in the world, and we have a lot of respect for the threat they bring. But this is our territory and we are ready for the challenge.”

Leinster: Todd Lawlor, Tommy O’Brien, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Osborne, Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher (capt), Thomas Clarkson, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Alan Spicer, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Josh Ericson.

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Niall Smyth, Brian Deeney, Ciarán Mangan, Oliver Coffey, Sam Prendergast, Hugo McLaughlin.

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Luan Giliomee, Edwill van der Merwe, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen (capt), Lili Bester, Vusi Moyo, Jaden Hendrikse, Thomas du Toit, Esethu Mnebelele, Vincent Koch, Jason Jenkins, Darrien Landsberg, Phepsi Buthelezi, Manu Tshituka, Nick Hatton.

Replacements: Ethan Bester, Ox Nche, Hanro Jacobs, Eben Etzebeth, Matt Romao, Ivan van Zyl, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Ethan Hooker.