Leinster boss Leo Cullen has hailed Caelan Doris' "very unique" qualities after picking him to start in the number 7 jersey for the first time for Friday night's Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Leicester Tigers.
Doris, 24, has played at no 6 and no 8 in the back row for Leinster and Ireland, and has been most effective at no 8.
But with reigning world player of the year Josh van der Flier missing out with an ankle injury, the Blues brain trust had a choice to make and Doris, who missed out on the last 16 victory over Ulster through illness, gets the nod over in-form Scott Penny for the openside slot - and with Ryan Baird and Jack Conan hold down their places alongside side him.
The Mayo man is one of two personnel changes to the side from last Saturday, with Garry Ringrose fit to return and he takes Jimmy O'Brien's place in the centre - O'Brien moves to the wing, with Jordan Larmour dropping out of the squad entirely.
Explaining their reasoning over Doris' positioning, pointing out that the Blues star has often covered the openside position during games.
"Yeah, it's something we discuss quite a bit," said Cullen. "Clearly Josh is out this week, Caelan was out last week and is back in this weekend.
"And if that dynamic had been there in whatever order of those say four back rowers, Caelan would be the one who covers 7 anyway. Over the course of the last number of seasons, that's something that he has done.
"You think of the relationship of those four back rowers, and with Ryan Baird and Jack Conan I thought playing really well last week, that was the feeling.
"Scott has been outstanding for us all season but Caelan has also brought something very unique throughout the last couple of seasons, really, hasn't he?
"This year during the Six Nations I thought he was exceptional all across the board, so having Scott there gives us the option at least to change that, if there is the need.
"Jack Conan and Caelan have obviously played together in that 6 and 8 role as well, there's been plenty of commentary about that, so yeah, we feel particularly with the physical challenge that Leicester will pose as well that it will be good for us.
"But yeah, we're blessed, we've got some guys there and Caelan is performing at a world class level, isn't he?
"We're excited to see how these guys go."
READ NEXT:
Seamus Power sends Augusta crowds wild with two hole-in-ones IN A ROW
James Lowe says Leinster must on cash in on 'luxury' of home advantage in the Champions Cup
Waterford look set to be without key trio for start of Munster Championship
What Ireland's starting XI could look like at the 2030 World Cup
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
