<
>

Ken Owens sidelined for Leinster-Scarlets PRO12 semifinal

Wales hooker Ken Owens will miss the PRO12 semifinal through injury. Michael Steele/Getty Images

Seven players from Warren Gatland's British & Irish Lions squad will face off when Leinster host Scarlets in their PRO12 semifinal on Friday night, but hooker Ken Owens misses out.

The Scarlets and Wales No. 2 has suffered an ankle injury that means he is unable to take his place alongside fellow tourists Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies.

Jake Ball is also sidelined for the clash at the RDS Arena but Davies' brother, James Davies, returns following a shoulder injury.

Leinster coach Leo Cullen, meanwhile, has named Robbie Henshaw, Johnny Sexton, Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong in his starting side for the semifinal, while back row Sean O'Brien is on the bench.

The two sides finished second and third respectively in the PRO12 regular season table, but with Leinster eights points clear of their visitors on Friday.

Leinster: Carberry, Byrne, Ringrose, Henshaw, Nacewa (captain), Sexton, L. McGrath; J. McGrath, Tracy, Furlong, Molony, Triggs, Ruddock, Van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Strauss, Healy, Bent, Toner, Leavy, O'Brien, Gibson-Park, Kirchner.

Scarlets: McNicholl, L. Williams, Jo. Davies, S. Williams, S. Evans, Patchell, G. Davies; R. Evans, Elias, Lee, Rawlins, Beirne, Shingler, Ja. Davies, Barclay (captain).

Replacements: Phillips, Jones, Kruger, Bulbring, Boyde, J. Evans, Parkes, Van der Merwe.