Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced a strong squad to take on the Cheetahs in the PRO14 at the RDS tomorrow at 14 30.
Despite many of his players being away on Irish duty Cullen has been able to name a vastly experienced side with some youth mixed in.
Among those included are players released by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell for this weekend with Ronan Kelleher, Will Connors, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath and Dave Kearney all being handed starting positions.
Either side of Kelleher in the front-row are Peter Dooley and Michael Bent, with Ross Molony partnering captain Scott Fardy in the second-row.
Rhys Ruddock will hope to keep himself in the frame of an Irish call-up with a good performance at blindside-flanker, with Connors at openside and Deegan completes the starting pack from No 8.
McGrath comes in at scrum-half and links up with Ciaran Frawley in the half-backs, with Joe Tomane and Jimmy O’Brien outside them in the midfield.
Dave Kearney takes up a spot on the left-wing, with Fergus McFadden on the right and Rob Kearney seals an experienced back three from full-back where he will hope to impress in the absence of Jordan Larmour.
On the bench there is a mix of youth and experience too with the likes of Scott Penny and Harry Byrne joining Sean Cronin and Jamison Gibson-Park on the bench.
Speaking ahead of the game lock Molony believes that even without the international stars the team can get a positive result.
“The group is in a really good place, everyone can step up,” he said.
Leinster will be hoping to continue their perfect start to the season with a 17th win in a row, but they know that it won’t be easy with the Cheetahs looking to remain in the play-off places in what has been a good opening to the season for them to date.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
15. Rob Kearney (217)
14. Fergus McFadden (182)
13. Jimmy O’Brien (14)
12. Joe Tomane (19)
11. Dave Kearney (146)
10. Ciarán Frawley (22)
9. Luke McGrath (121)
1. Peter Dooley (73)
2. Rónan Kelleher (10)
3. Michael Bent (132)
4. Ross Molony (93)
5. Scott Fardy (55) (c)
6. Rhys Ruddock (169)
7. Will Connors (13)
8. Max Deegan (60)
Replacements:
16. Seán Cronin (178)
17. Michael Milne (5)
18. Roman Salanoa (2)
19. Ryan Baird (4)
20. Scott Penny (11)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (85)
22. Harry Byrne (6)
23. Cian Kelleher (12)
