LEINSTER BOSS LEO Cullen has rung the changes to his team with his front-line Ireland internationals rested for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro14 visit to Glasgow Warriors [KO 7.35pm, eir Sport].
Ross Molony captains Leinster from the second row, where he is partnered by the experienced Devin Toner.
Josh Murphy, Will Connors, and Caelan Doris make up an in-form back row, while Peter Dooley, James Tracy, and Michael Bent complete the front row.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne will steer the ship from the halfback slots, while Conor O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien pair up in midfield.
Hugo Keenan, Cian Kelleher, and Adam Byrne form a potentially potent back three. Promising tighthead prop Jack Aungier, flanker Scott Penny, and second row Oisín Dowling are included on the bench.
Leinster:
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Adam Byrne
13. Jimmy O’Brien
12. Conor O’Brien
11. Cian Kelleher
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Peter Dooley
2. James Tracy
3. Michael Bent
4. Ross Molony (captain)
5. Devin Toner
6. Josh Murphy
7. Will Connors
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements:
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Jack Aungier
19. Oisín Dowling
20. Scott Penny
21. Hugh O’Sullivan
22. Ciarán Frawley
23. Fergus McFadden
Referee: Craig Evans [Wales].
Really like the makeup of that Leinster 23. Great use of the depth of the squad and it gives some fringe and young players an opportunity to give Leo etc a few things to think about. Some amount of youth on the bench + Ferg ;). Hopeful for a good performance mainly and even though Glasgow have named a pretty strong 23 in a tough away game a win should still be achievable.
@Ian Verdon: exciting young side who will certainly be tested by a string Glasgow side. Will be interesting to see how they go. Many of these guys have been in good early season form so I’ve no word about them. A win will be difficult but not out of the question.
@Ian Verdon: Its interesting that both Munster and Leinster have given a lot of young guys a chance this week. Hope they both put up a performance as both Glasgow and Edinburgh are putting out strong enough teams.
@Decko49: yeah I think it’s brilliant. Both have very hard tasks especially with Leinster not having the home comforts but even if they loose they’ll gain valuable minutes and experiences. One learns just as much in a loss as a win. If they both win its a great achievement, all things considered. We could well be seeing a fair amount of these lads in 4 years in the wc for Ireland.
good to see Fergus McFadden still kickin about
Hopefully with The Byrne Identity we see The Byrne Supremacy and give Glasgow The Byrne Ultimatum to leave The Byrne Legacy.
A great experience for them and an away win against Glasgow would be a brilliant result.
Disappointing not to see Penny start. Much brighter future ahead than a Will Connors for example.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Connors has been outstanding this season, fully deserves to start ahead of Penny.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Not on this season’s form. Connors is a huge talent with an engine and tackling style only rivalled by JVDF.
Only 23 and would be further along except for injury.
@Oval Digest: He’s probably not seen much of Leinster since moving to the Premiership. Just being biased towards someone who went to the same school as him.
How many Byrnes are at Leinster?
@Dave O Keeffe: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Adam Byrne, Ross Byrne and Harry Byrne. I think that’s it.
@Peter McKenna: Byrnes, baby, Byrnes…
@Peter McKenna: coupled that with Conor O’Brien, Jimmy O’Brien and Tommy O’Brien. Hate to be the kit men in Leinster!
@Peter McKenna: Imagine if they’d held onto Tadhg Beirne and were coached by ex Leinster player Shaun Berne
This is a DISGRACE. How can their 3rd best team be like that. Reflects on the Irfu very poorly. Why can’t they distribute some of them to the weaker provinces like Ulster and connacht, . I wouldnt mind young kelleher for Munster on the wing for some cover but ofcourse irfu give him to leinster. growing lroblem and something needs to be done
@Cortiss: We’ll give you B for effort on that attempt to troll.
@Cortiss: They are nearly all from Leinster. Leinster does not have to share their talent pool
@Darren Byrne: Fairly obvious he’s a troll. And not even a good effort either
@Cortiss: Free will is a shocking thing, isn’t it
@Cortiss: weaker provinces like Ulster and Connacht, and??. Also, maybe you should pick the Leinster team.
@Darren Byrne: Way to generous that grade
@Cortiss: Loughman, Beirne, Oliver, McCarthy, Carbery and Conway. How many more do you want? You’ve also taken Arnold, Farrell and Wootton from Ulster and half the population of the High Veldt. It is “Munster” you’re a fan of?
@Joe O’Doherty: wootton came from Northampton.
@Cortiss: weak effort.