Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made eight changes to his starting XV for tomorrow’s PRO14 game against the Glasgow Warriors in the RDS at 19 35.
Following last weekend’s win at the Ospreys Cullen has been able to recall several players released from the Irish set-up as well as naming two academy players among the line-up.
In the front-row Peter Dooley and Michael Bent continue in the side but are joined by Sean Cronin at hooker this week, while youngster Ryan Baird locks down beside Scott Fardy in the second-row as the latter once again captains the team.
Josh Murphy remains at blindside-flanker, with Will Connors coming in at openside and Max Deegan slots straight in at No 8 after returning to the Leinster camp.
Luke McGrath is selected at scrum-half and is joined in the half-back pairing by Harry Byrne, while Joe Tomane links-up with Jimmy O’Brien in the midfield.
James Lowe takes his place on the left-wing, with Dave Kearney on the right and Hugo Keenan retains his spot to finish off the starting line-up from full-back.
There is plenty of experience for Cullen to call upon from the bench with the likes of James Tracy, Rhys Ruddock, Jamison Gibson-Park and Fergus McFadden among the replacements.
Speaking ahead of the game centre O’Brien is wary of the challenge that the Warriors will pose and knows his side will need to be at their best to win.
“You’ve seen from the result that they got over in the RDS last year they’re not afraid to come over here. They’re going to relish it,” he said.
Leinster will be hoping to make it 13-wins in a row in the PRO14 on Friday and increase their lead at the top of Conference A, while the Warriors will be looking to upset the hosts and get a result against the league leaders.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
15. Hugo Keenan (13)
14. Dave Kearney (147)
13. Jimmy O’Brien (16)
12. Joe Tomane (20)
11. James Lowe (42)
10. Harry Byrne (8)
9. Luke McGrath (122)
1. Peter Dooley (75)
2. Seán Cronin (180)
3. Michael Bent (134)
4. Ryan Baird (6)
5. Scott Fardy (57) (c)
6. Josh Murphy (31)
7. Will Connors (14)
8. Max Deegan (61)
Replacements:
16. James Tracy (107)
17. Michael Milne (7)
18. Jack Aungier (4)
19. Jack Dunne (6)
20. Rhys Ruddock (171)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (87)
22. Ciarán Frawley (24)
23. Fergus McFadden (183)
