Ioane on bench as Leinster recall Ireland stars

New Zealand international Rieko Ioane is set to make his Leinster debut off the bench in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup opener against Harlequins at Aviva Stadium (17:30 GMT).

The 88-cap All Black - a two-time World Rugby Player of the Year nominee - has joined the Irish province from the Blues until the end of the season.

Ioane - who can cover outside centre and the left wing - is part of a strong Leinster matchday squad as head coach Leo Cullen recalls his Ireland internationals after the autumn break.

Caelan Doris captains the side in his first Leinster appearance since May, having returned from a shoulder injury for Ireland last month. Jack Conan also makes his first Leinster appearance this season in a strong back row completed by former World Rugby player of the year Josh van der Flier.

Lock Joe McCarthy returns from a foot injury to partner South Africa international RG Snyman in the second row.

Ireland trio Thomas Clarkson, Dan Sheehan and Paddy McCarthy are named in the front row, with the latter making his Champions Cup debut.

Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park are paired in the half-backs, while Jordan Larmour, Tommy O'Brien and Jimmy O'Brien make up the back three.

Andrew Porter (arm), James Lowe (calf) and Robbie Henshaw (hamstring) are not included.

Leinster have won four Champions Cup titles, the last of which came in 2018, while they lost three successive finals between 2022 and 2024.

Cullen's side thrashed Harlequins 62-0 at Croke Park in the round of 16 last season. Harlequins are currently eighth in the 10-team Prem.

Leinster: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Frawley, Larmour; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; P McCarthy, Sheehan, Clarkson, Snyman, J McCarthy, Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Kelleher, Boyle, Furlong, Mangan, Deegan, McGrath, Byrne, Ioane.