"Fresh after winning his first Ireland cap and impressing throughout last month, loosehead Paddy McCarthy (22) will make his Champions Cup debut alongside his older brother Joe (24), who returns for the first time this season following a foot injury. Expect fireworks with the siblings in the same starting team. Leinster are without injured Ireland trio Andrew Porter (arm), Robbie Henshaw (hamstring) and James Lowe (calf), which opens the door for the younger McCarthy, Ciarán Frawley and Jordan Larmour to impress."
"Rieko Ioane is in line for his Leinster debut off the bench, and the All Blacks back will hope to make an immediate impression by winning over the home supporters. Harlequins appear to have thrown in the towel with their team selection, as Marcus Smith, Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South and Jack Kenningham are said to be unavailable due to their mandatory rest periods. It's a bad look for the opening game of the Champions Cup."
Leinster start with loosehead Paddy McCarthy making his Champions Cup debut alongside brother Joe McCarthy, who returns from a foot injury. The squad lacks injured Ireland players Andrew Porter, Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe, creating opportunities for younger players Ciarán Frawley and Jordan Larmour. Rieko Ioane is named among the replacements and could debut off the bench. Harlequins leave out several star players — Marcus Smith, Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South and Jack Kenningham — citing mandatory rest periods. The Harlequins selection is presented as a weakened side for the Champions Cup opener. Full starting lineups and replacements for both teams are listed.
Read at Irish Independent
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