Jordie Barrett will make his first start for Leinster this weekend but it will not be at centre after Leo Cullen named his team to face Clermont Auvergne.
The 27-year-old made his debut in the midfield in the Investec Champions Cup victory over Bristol Bears, scoring one try and assisting another in the 35-12 success.
Barrett was perhaps expecting to cement that role going forward – like he has for the All Blacks – but, with Hugo Keenan and Ciaran Frawley both out of action, he has been shifted to full-back.
The New Zealand star’s versatility has been beneficial on a personal level over the years, but the outstanding back implied earlier in the week that he now wanted to specialise.
‘Jack of all trades, master of none’
“In some ways I was a bit of a jack of all trades and master of none for a number of years there, but I feel like it’s probably stood me in great stead for where I am at the moment,” he told reporters.
“I feel like I’ve been around forever, but I’m 27 and I feel like my best rugby is ahead of me, which is positive – hence the reason to try to come up here at this point in my career.
“But playing even in Test matches, left wing, right wing – 10 once – plenty of 15 and 12 gives you a good perspective and understanding of what the guy inside you demands or needs out on the pitch, and same with other guys in similar positions.
“So, I guess when you’re trying to solidify yourself in one position, whether you’re 12 or full back. It gives you a great understanding of what your wingers need, or what your 10 needs or what your nine needs. So I feel like I’m in a position now where I understand the game pretty deeply, and hopefully, it puts me in good stead for the rest of my career.”
Barrett will perhaps have to wait until Frawley and Keenan return to focus on centre as he starts in the Leinster back three alongside wings Liam Turner, who comes in Jordan Larmour, and Jimmy O’Brien.
The All Black is one of three global stars who have been elevated to the starting line-up, with world-class loosehead prop Andrew Porter and World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Caelan Doris also in the XV.
They are not quite at full strength with the likes of James Lowe and Tadhg Furlong still absent but there are plenty more ‘galacticos’ in the side for Saturday’s Champions Cup encounter.
That includes centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose, who combine in the midfield, and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park – all established Ireland internationals.
Gibson-Park combines with burgeoning playmaker Sam Prendergast at half-back, while up front Doris is alongside Max Deegan and the outstanding Josh van der Flier.
Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are once again in the engine room, with Cullen resisting the temptation to start Springboks powerhouse RG Snyman, while front-rowers Thomas Clarkson, Ronan Kelleher and Porter complete the pack.
Leinster’s team to face Clermont Auvergne
Leinster: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Liam Turner, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Max Deegan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Andrew Osborne
Date: Saturday, December 14
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace, Jamie Leahy
Television Match Official: Stuart Terheege
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/jordie-barrett-earns-first-leinster-start-but-in-unexpected-role-as-galacticos-unleashed
