Wolhuter starts top-of-the-table clash with Leinster

Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter has been included in Ivan van Rooyen’s starting XV as the Emirates Lions travel to the Aviva Stadium to face Leinster in Round 6 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Not selected in the original tour squad due to injury, the talented playmaker joined the group for preparations and slots into the playmaker position against the Irish side.

Speaking from Dublin earlier this week, assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher believes a fast side for the men from Johannesburg will set the tone for a match that sees the only two unbeaten sides face off on Saturday.

“They like to put you under scoreboard pressure, so the important thing for us is to start well,” said Loubscher.

“You also can’t go into this match with the mindset of just keeping them out defensively,” he added. “They’re good enough to score tries from everywhere.

“The important thing for us is to fire shots. We must go out and force our game onto them from an attack point of view,” the former Springbok concluded.

The Lions boast a new centre pairing which sees Rynhardt Jonker and Henco van Wyk combining on attack. Amongst the forwards, tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye returns after a concussion he suffered against Dragons two weeks ago.

For Leinster, Robbie Henshaw is back in the No 12 jersey after some time on the sidelines with injury.

Leinster starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Andrew Osborne, 13 Hugh Cooney, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe; 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath; 8 Caelan Doris (capt), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Max Deegan; 5 Ryan Baird, 4 RG Snyman; 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Michael Milne. Replacements: 16 Stephen Smyth, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 James Culhane, 21 Cormac Foley, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Charlie Tector.

Emirates Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Edwill van der Merwe; 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Morne van den Berg; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 JC Pretorius; 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Erich Cronje.

Leinster v Emirates Lions

Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 5.15pm IRE & UK/6.15pm ITA & SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 60th league game)

AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU) AR 2: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Live on: RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv