Leinster captain Caelan Doris starts URC final as Tadhg Furlong returns

Leinster captain Caelan Doris has been declared fit to start Friday’s United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls at Croke Park as Tadhg Furlong returns to the starting XV.

The Ireland skipper emerged as a significant doubt after sustaining a knee injury during the semi-final victory over the Stormers.

However, the influential back-rower has recovered in time to lead a team featuring three alterations for the highly anticipated Dublin decider.

Tadhg Furlong is named at tight-head prop, marking the three-time British and Irish Lion’s first start since April.

Lowe prepares for Leinster farewell

Connacht-bound Jerry Cahir steps in for the injured Andrew Porter at loose-head prop to complete a formidable front row.

A fit-again Tommy O’Brien is restored to the right wing, joining James Lowe who starts on the opposite flank in his final appearance before departing the province.

Hugo Keenan anchors the backline at full-back, while Rieko Ioane and Jamie Osborne maintain their midfield partnership.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast are retained as the half-back pairing tasked with dictating the tempo against the South African visitors.

Quest for back-to-back titles

Hooker Dan Sheehan has recovered sufficiently to take a place on the bench after missing the previous fixture, leaving Ronan Kelleher to wear the number two jersey.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan form an unchanged second row, with Max Deegan and Josh van der Flier joining their captain in the back row.

Leo Cullen’s side are determined to retain their URC crown following a disappointing Champions Cup final defeat by Bordeaux in Bilbao last month.

The Irish heavyweights will draw confidence from recent history, having comprehensively defeated the Pretoria-based outfit 32-7 in last season’s corresponding final.

Starting line-ups

Leinster:

• Hugo Keenan; Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jerry Cahir, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt)

Replacements:

• Dan Sheehan, Alex Usanov, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose

Bulls:

• Willie le Roux; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje, Marcell Coetzee (capt), Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom

Replacements:

• Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Jeandre Rudolph, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, Nizaam Carr