The Leinster Rugby squad that will face Benetton Rugby tomorrow night in the RDS Arena at the BKT United Rugby Championship has been announced by head coach Leo Cullen. Kick-off is at 7.35pm and the match will be broadcast live on TG4, Premier Sports and URC TV.
The game will also host a number of activities for season ticket holders and supporters, with Leinster Rugby confirming that season pack collections will be available from 5pm at the Hall of Industries.
There will also be a fanzone – the Laighin Den – in place for the first home game of the season behind Anglesea Stand with bands playing before and after the game, and Q&A for players and coaches, also before and after. after the game.
Tickets for the match are still on sale at www.leinsterrugby.ie.
For team news, there are a number of changes to the 23 who represented Zebre Parma last weekend on the road with Leo Cullen able to call on a number of Irish players who won a very first series in New Zealand during the summer.
Garry Ringrose is also back in the starting XV and will be the team captain. He will be partnered at center by Robbie Henshaw.
Elsewhere at fullbacks, Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour and Dave Kearney are the three fullbacks selected by Cullen, with Luke McGrath and Ciarán Frawley at halfbacks.
In the field, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Michael Ala’alatoa are selected in the front row, while James Ryan joins South African lock Jason Jenkins for the first time behind them.
Finally, it’s a brand new backline for Cullen this week, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris selected to start.
On the bench, Cian Healy is in line to earn his 250th cap if introduced.
Leinster Rugby (capitals in brackets):
15. Jimmy O’Brien (53)
14. Jordan Larmour (74)
13. Garry Ringrose (102) CAPTAIN
12. Robbie Henshaw (68)
11. Dave Kearney (174)
10. Ciaran Frawley (57)
9. Luke McGrath (176)
1.Andrew Porter (91)
2. Dan Sheehan (29)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (26)
4. Jason Jenkins (1)
5. James Ryan (58)
6. Ryan Baird (38)
7. Josh van der Flier (114)
8. Caelan Doris (55)
16. Ronan Kelleher (37)
17. Ed Byrne (86)
18. Cian Healy (249)
19. Ross Molony (140)
20. Will Connors (26)
21. Cormac Foley (5)
22.Ross Byrne (129)
23. Charlie Ngatai (1)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
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