Leinster boss Leo Cullen has made seven changes to his side ahead of their United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors.

Joe McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, Ryan Baird, Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley, Rory O’Loughlin and Jordan Larmour are all drafted into the side. Jack Conan, Ross Molony and Robbie Henshaw drop to the bench. James Lowe and Hugo Keenan are rested, whilst Ronan Kelleher and Johnny Sexton miss out due to a shoulder and an ankle injury respectively.

As for the visitors, Danny Wilson has made just one change to his starting 15 bringing in Gregor Brown for Thomas Gordon at open side flanker. However, Wilson has named a deep squad against the Champions Cup finalists, featuring 17 internationals. 

The hosts come into this game with a point to prove after losing last weekend’s Champions Cup final to La Rochelle. The Irish giants fell to Ronan O’Gara’s team at the death thanks to a late Arthue Retiere try, which denied Leo Cullen’s team a chance at a potential league & cup double.

Leinster struggled to find their attacking groove in the final against the French side, scoring just 21 points thanks largely to the boot of Johnny Sexton. Leo Cullen will be looking to avoid a repeat on Saturday afternoon and get back to winning ways against a struggling Glasgow outfit.

Fortunately for Cullen and Leinster supporters, the team has responded incredibly well to defeats this season. Leinster have lost five times in the United Rugby Championship this season and went onto win their next game on four occasions following defeat. 

As for Glasgow, they come into Saturday’s game struggling for form. The Warriors have lost their last four games in all competitions, including a 35-27 defeat to Challenge Cup winners Lyon in the semi-finals. 

Glasgow’s task gets just a little bit harder, as Leinster also come into this game with an impressive record against the visitors. Cullen’s has won six of their last seven against the Warriors, including a 15-31 win over Danny Wilson’s team earlier this season.

Despite Leinster’s defeats in the Champions Cup, the province holds an impeccable knockout record in the United Rugby Championship. 

Leinster are currently on a 7-0 run in the URC knockout stages for over five years, and haven’t tasted defeat since falling to the eventual winners the Scarlets in a 15-27 loss back in the 2017 semi-finals.