LEINSTER WILL FACE  Heineken Cup final rivals Northampton Saints in an exciting friendly in Dublin in August, the club announced today.

Super 15 side Melbourne Rebels are also travelling to Donnybrook as part of a pre-season series to test the mettle of the Blues ahead of the RaboDirect PRO12 campaign.

The Melbourne squad will include Wallaby internationals such as Sam Cordingley and Stirling Mortlock as well as England’s Danny Cipriani. Former Leinster second row Adam Byrnes is also expected to feature.

Leinster play Melbourne Rebels on 19 August  and take on Northampton Saints on 26 August.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said: “These two high-profile games, against top class opposition, will be very challenging which is ideal leading into the PRO12 campaign.

“Melbourne are a new franchise with high ambitions who boast a strong array of young and experienced talent.”

We know all about Northampton’s many qualities from their performances both in their domestic league and in Europe last year and both sides will provide us with a real test as we look to integrate some of our new signings into the panel ahead of the start of the PRO12.

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