JACK CONAN IS named among the replacements for Leinster’s trip to France for a pre-season friendly against Bordeaux-Bègles on Friday evening [kick-off, 7pm Irish time].
Conan missed Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa, and will provide options for Leo Cullen on the bench alongside Scott Penny and Liam Molony. Fintan Gunne and Luke McGrath are also in reserve to play scrum-half.
James Culhane captains the team as an extended 31-man squad makes the trip to the Stade Chaban-Delmas to continue preparations for the 2024/2025 season. Culhane will be joined in the back row by Will Connors and Max Deegan while Michael Milne and Thomas Clarkson will line up either side of John McKee at hooker. Brian Deeny and Conor O’Tighearnaigh will slot into the second row.
Harry Byrne has been selected to play at out-half and will link up with scrum-half Cormac Foley.
Leinster XV
Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Andrew Osborne (2)
14. Tommy O’Brien (35)
13. Liam Turner (29)
12. Ben Brownlee (9)
11. Rob Russell (32)
10. Harry Byrne (68)
9. Cormac Foley (20)
1. Michael Milne (41)
2. John McKee (27)
3. Thomas Clarkson (41)
4. Brian Deeny (22)
5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (4)
6. Max Deegan (113)
7. Will Connors (49)
8. James Culhane (8) CAPTAIN
Replacements:
Lee Barron (16)
Gus McCarthy (1)
Jack Boyle (11)
Rabah Slimani (0)
Rory McGuire (3)
Diarmuid Mangan (3)
Scott Penny (72)
Jack Conan (148)
Liam Molony (1)
Fintan Gunne (3)
Luke McGrath (212)
Ross Byrne (162)
Charlie Tector (8)
Hugh Cooney (0)
Aitzol King (1)
Henry McErlean (3)
No such thing as a friendly in rugby…!
@Aidan Farrell: Think you need to try get more attention in real life rather than saying the same thing on every rugby post, bud.
@Aidan Farrell: in club rugby there is. There’s no ranking points, league table points or trophies on offer in matches like this
Is there anywhere we can watch the game?
@melissa pollock: can’t see any info on if this is being televised on any channel whatsoever, looked everywhere . Feeling starved of club rugby at this stage , can’t wait for the URC to start back.
@melissa pollock: Pre season friendlies are rarely (if ever) televised. You will be lucky if there are highlights.
@melissa pollock: you could try Bordeaux…if that’s of any help..
Leo is trying to figure his depth chart out.
Or does he know that already?
Seeing that team I can’t help but think Jack Boyle should have moved he’s so good but probably 4th choice loosehead for Leinster. Would be at least 2nd choice in every other province.
couldnt even find details of this on the Leinster website. Are there more friendlies planned? Think the squad officially started training on July 24th so they are back into games pretty quick!