Overview
- Head coach Leo Cullen overhauled his XV with seven switches for Saturday’s URC game at Loftus Versfeld following the 35-0 defeat in Cape Town.
- Thomas Clarkson starts at tighthead for the first time this season, Gus McCarthy stays at hooker, and Rabah Slimani moves to the bench.
- Paddy McCarthy earns his first Leinster start at loosehead as the bench goes 6–2 with forward-heavy cover.
- Ryan Baird shifts into the second row alongside Brian Deeny, with a new back row of Alex Soroka, Will Connors, and Max Deegan.
- Sam Prendergast remains at fly-half as Robbie Henshaw moves to 12, Hugh Cooney lines up at 13, and Andrew Osborne replaces the injured Jordan Larmour in the back three, while the Bulls start Marcell Coetzee as captain with Embrose Papier at 9 and Keagan Johannes at 10.