Sexton and Furlong set for bench roles while Reds opt to start Carbery

Jonathan Sexton, left, is likely to start on the bench for Leinster. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ruaidhri O'Connor Twitter

March 26 2021 02:30 AM

Munster coach Johann van Graan looks set to name his strongest possible team for tomorrow’s Guinness PRO14 final against Leinster, but Leo Cullen is likely to keep some of his leading lights in reserve.

After playing 160 minutes in Ireland’s final Six Nations matches, captain Johnny Sexton is expected to be named on a star-studded Leinster bench with Tadhg Furlong and Ryan Baird.

Leinster have a six-day turnaround before facing Toulon in the Champions Cup quarter-final. Munster have an extra day to prepare for their clash with Toulouse at Thomond Park.

As well as Carbery, who has started once in 13 months but has impressed since returning from injury, Van Graan is expected to bring Conor Murray, Keith Earls, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, and CJ Stander straight into his team as Munster look to end a 10-year wait for silverware at the RDS.

Cullen, meanwhile, has a large contingent of internationals to accommodate as his side go for their fourth title in a row. If Sexton is on the bench, it is likely that Ross Byrne will see off the challenge of his brother Harry for the No 10 shirt, while Cullen has a big call to make in the centre as he looks to replace Garry Ringrose with Rory O’Loughlin.

Despite his strong form, Dave Kearney could lose out as Ireland trio Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour and James Lowe make up the back-three, while Cullen could go for the experience of Devin Toner and Scott Fardy behind an all-international front-row of Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher and Andrew Porter with Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan coming into the back-row. Both teams will be named at noon today.