The Leinster Rugby team, as sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to face Ulster Rugby tomorrow in the Aviva Stadium in Round 15 of the Guinness PRO14 has been announced by Head Coach Leo Cullen (KO 7.35pm – live on eir Sport & RTÉ Radio).
Ed Byrne will captain the side for the first time in a competitive fixture, starting in the front row with Irish internationals Seán Cronin and Michael Bent.
Carlow native Byrne made his debut in February 2014 against Zebre and will win his 54th Leinster cap tomorrow when he leads out his province for the first time.
Devin Toner starts in the second row with Ross Molony, while Josh Murphy, Will Connors, and Max Deegan complete the starting pack.
In the backs, Cullen has selected a back three of Rob Kearney, Hugo Keenan, and Cian Kelleher.
Ciarán Frawley and Rory O’Loughlin is the centre partnership, while in the half backs Jamison Gibson-Park wins his 90th cap for Leinster Rugby and is joined by Ross Byrne.
Leinster Rugby Academy player Tom Clarkson is in line to make his senior debut from the bench.
Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)
15. Rob Kearney (218)
14. Hugo Keenan (14)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (67)
12. Ciarán Frawley (25)
11. Cian Kelleher (14)
10. Ross Byrne (85)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (89)
1. Ed Byrne (53) CAPTAIN
2. Seán Cronin (182)
3. Michael Bent (136)
4. Devin Toner (245)
5. Ross Molony (95)
6. Josh Murphy (32)
7. Will Connors (16)
8. Max Deegan (63)
16. James Tracy (108)
17. Michael Milne (8)
18. Tom Clarkson (0)
19. Rhys Ruddock (172)
20. Scott Penny (13)
21. Rowan Osborne (4)
22. Harry Byrne (9)
23. Jimmy O’Brien (17)
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
