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Leinster vs Munster team news: Sheehan starts at No 8 as Carbery returns at 10

Ronan Kelleher takes over at hooker for the URC derby at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 24 October, with Jack Conan injured and Munster making seven changes.

By RuckBee Newsroom1 min read
Three players in blue bind in a scrum crouch on the grass as a teammate leans in behind them inside Aviva Stadium at dusk.
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Leinster have moved their captain out of the front row for the visit of Munster. Dan Sheehan, normally a hooker, will start at No 8 for the first time in Saturday's United Rugby Championship derby, and Joey Carbery, the former Munster fly-half, will make his first Leinster start in eight years.

The derby is at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 24 October 2026, with kick-off at 18:00 BST.

Sheehan's switch covers for the injured Jack Conan, so Ronan Kelleher comes in at hooker. Carbery's start at 10 is his first since he rejoined Leinster, and Sam Prendergast is not in the matchday squad.

Four changes for Cullen

Head coach Leo Cullen has made four changes to the side that beat Clermont Auvergne 48-23 in the Champions Cup on Saturday 17 October. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park plays his first game of the season, and Jamie Osborne takes over from Garry Ringrose at outside centre.

Leinster's league season started slowly. They lost their first two URC games, to the Lions and the Sharks, before beating Cardiff, and they have eight points from three matches.

Munster rotate after Racing win

Munster have made seven changes to the side that beat Racing 92 33-25 in the Champions Cup in Cork, also on Saturday 17 October. Sean O'Brien moves in from the wing to outside centre for his 50th Munster appearance.

Charlie O'Shea, 20, keeps the No 10 jersey and partners Craig Casey at half-back. Casey and captain Tadhg Beirne are the only Munster players in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad.

Munster lost their URC opener to Glasgow Warriors, then beat the Bulls and drew 26-26 with Ulster on Saturday 10 October.

Munster boss Clayton McMillan is looking forward to the trip: "we look forward to testing ourselves against one of the most experienced and cohesive sides in world rugby in their own backyard."

More on RuckBee: Alex Nankivell Munster contract extended by two years to 2029 · Pro rugby news · Rugby fixtures

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