Harry Byrne starts at fly-half while Rieko Ioane makes his first Leinster start against Leicester

Michael Bolton

Harry Byrne has been named to start at fly-half for Leinster in their Champions Cup group game against Leicester Tigers on Friday night.

Byrne has been given his chance ahead after impressing so far this season, with Sam Prendergast on the replacements bench.

Rieko Ioane makes his first start, as he is named at outside centre, with Robbie Henshaw at inside centre.

There are seven changes in total from the team that defeated Harlequins, with James Ryan returning from suspension to partner Joe McCarthy in the second row, with RG Snyman out with injury.

James Lowe returns to start on the left wing, with Jordan Larmour set for another spell on the sidelines.

Tadhg Furlong and Ronán Kelleher come into the front row, where they will partner Paddy McCarthy.

Leinster: J O’Brien; T O’Brien, R Ioane, R Henshaw, J Lowe; H Byrne, J Gibson-Park; P McCarthy, R Kelleher, T Furlong; J McCarthy, J Ryan; J Conan, J van der Flier, C Doris (capt).

Replacements: D Sheehan, J Boyle, T Clarkson, D Mangan, M Deegan, L McGrath, S Prendergast, C Frawley.