Brendon Leonard will start for the Ospreys in tonight’s Guinness PRO12 semi-final against Munster at Thomond Park (6.15pm KO) after Rhys Webb withdrew an hour before kick-off.
Webb suffered a groin spasm and was unable to pull through in time so former All Black Leonard comes into the starting line-up off the bench, and will wear the number nine shirt.His place on the bench goes to Jay Baker, the winner of this season’s most improved elite development player award. The winger will wear the number 21 shirt vacated by Leonard.
Since belatedly turning professional with his home region last summer, Baker has played four times for the senior team at the Ospreys, with his one try coming in the Anglo Welsh Cup win over Wasps at the Ricoh Arena in February. He also scored five tries in four games for the Ospreys Premiership Select XV in this season’s British & Irish Cup, including a hat-trick in the 20-17 win over Connacht Eagles at the Sportsground in Galway last December.