United Rugby Championship: Cardiff captain Josh Turnbull to make 200th appearance

Josh Turnbull was appointed Cardiff captain in 2021

Captain Josh Turnbull expects an emotional evening when he makes his 200th Cardiff appearance against leaders Leinster in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

The 35-year-old, who says he will retire at the end of the season, lines up at lock.

Flanker Ellis Jenkins returns from injury, while centre Max Clark makes his first Cardiff start.

Full-back Jordan Larmour will make his 100th Leinster appearance.

The Ireland international made his debut in September 2017 against Dragons and has scored 39 tries for Leinster with six this season.

There are two changes from the side that defeated Benetton with Larmour being joined in the backline by Harry Byrne, while the pack remains unchanged.

Cardiff duo Teddy Williams and Evan Lloyd have not been released by Wales, while fellow Six Nations squad member Seb Davies has a back injury.

Double hundred

Turnbull played 130 games for the Scarlets before moving east in 2014, while he also has 13 Test caps to his name.

It will be his 239th league match with only retired Connacht flanker John Muldoon (254) having played more.

Asked whether it will be an emotional night for him when he brings up his double century, he replied: "Yeah, I think so. These milestones don't come around very often.

"Ten years at Cardiff has flown by and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

"I'm grateful for everything I have achieved in this region. It's been one hell of a journey to get here.

"I'm trying to think of all the coaches who have been here because there have been a few and there were a few down the Scarlets as well."

"I just love rugby. I enjoy coming in and sitting in the changing rooms with the boys, the day-to-day training.

"I have lived my dream because when you are a young kid in Wales all you want to do is go out and play rugby.

"It starts out as a hobby that becomes something you do on a daily basis. I am fortunate I've been able to do this as a job for nearly 20 years now.

"It's been a long journey and I've got a lot of great memories.

"There have been hard times and lows, but they are actually what make you better as a person and as a rugby player.

"I am grateful to everybody who has helped me achieve what I've achieved in the game."

Final flourish

Turnbull had been pencilled in to make his 200th appearance against Connacht, but he was laid low by an infected ear which left him in hospital for two days on an IV drip.

Turnbull, who turns 36 next month, confirmed this week that this will be his final season as a player as he looks forward to spending more time with his family.

"It took a little bit of time, but I have accepted it now," said Turnbull.

"My body is not feeling where it was a couple of years ago. I am not moving as well as I was. I guess it comes to us all at some point. So it's been an easier decision for me to make.

"I've also got a young family. The girls are 13 and 10 now and becoming more involved in sports - netball, rugby and football - and I want to be able to spend time with them and not ruin my body to the point where I can't enjoy doing those things."

Cardiff: Jacob Beetham; Owen Lane; Max Clark, Ben Thomas, Aled Summerhill; Tinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan; Rhys Carre, Liam Belcher, Will Davies-King, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Josh Turnbull (capt), Ellis Jenkins, Thomas Young, Lopeti Timani

Replacements: Dafydd Hughes, Rhys Barratt, Ciaran Parker, Ben Donnell, Alun Lawrence, Lucas de la Rua, Matthew Aubrey, Willis Halaholo.

Leinster: Jordan Larmour; Liam Turner, Jamie Osborne, Harry Byrne, Rob Russell; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jack Boyle, Lee Barron, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Molony, Jason Jenkins, Will Connors, Scott Penny (capt), Max Deegan.

Replacements: John McKee, Michael Milne, Michael Ala'alatoa, Brian Deeny, Rhys Ruddock, Ben Murphy, Sam Prendergast, Ben Brownlee.

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse & Ben Breakspear (WRU)

TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU)