Leinster name side to face La Rochelle with Andrew Porter left out

Kenneth Fox

Leinster have made seven changes to their team for this weekend's Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium.

The main omissions are props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, the latter of whom is still returning from an injury.

Joshua Kenny makes his European debut on the wing, with Tommy O’Brien retained from the side that thrashed Connacht, on the opposite flank, and Ciarán Frawley continuing at full-back.

Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park are chosen at half-back.

Up front, Paddy McCarthy comes in at loosehead alongside Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson, while James Ryan returns to the engine room to partner Joe McCarthy.

Caelan Doris captains the side from number eight, with Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier completing a powerful and mobile back row.

The field is set 💪

Here is our team to take on @staderochelais in tomorrow's @ChampionsCup fixture at Aviva Stadium.

🎟️ Tickets are still available at https://t.co/COrGMHRvuX pic.twitter.com/Qqmy5UC6Uy

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 9, 2026

Munster, meanwhile, make 10 changes from the side that lost to Ulster last time out, for their trip to Toulon on Sunday.

Academy winger Ben O’Connor is named in the back three alongside Shane Daly and Calvin Nash, while Craig Casey and Jack Crowley link up again at half-back.

Tom Farrell and Alex Nankivell form the centre partnership.

Captain Tadhg Beirne returns to lead the pack, joined by Gavin Coombes, Jack O’Donoghue, and a starting front row of Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barr, and Michael Ala’alatoa.

Edwin Edogbo and Fineen Wycherley combine in the second row.

Connacht also ring in the changes for their away game against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

There's anew-look midfield pairing of Cathal Forde and Harry West, with Ben Murphy starting at scrum-half and Shane Jennings coming in on the wing.

Cian Prendergast captains the side from blindside flanker, while there’s a first start for Academy loosehead Billy Bohan in the front row.