IRFU provincial and national age grade coaches - Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s - and IRFU elite player development staff from the four provinces gathered recently to review their experiences, discuss challenges and align closer to ensure the development of more effective elite players across the IRFU Elite Player Pathway.

Leinster 'A' Prepare For Pontypridd Tie

The Leinster 'A' team to face Pontypridd in Saturday afternoon's British & Irish Cup Pool 5 clash at Donnybrook (kick-off 2pm) has been named.

David Kearney starts at full-back after recovering from a quad injury and he is named in a back-line which has served the province well in this year's competition to date.

Fionn Carr and Andrew Conway will line out on the wings with the versatile Jordan Coghlan named at inside centre alongside Brendan Macken.

At half-back, John Cooney again links up with Noel Reid who has scored 40 points to date in the current British & Irish Cup campaign.

Leo Auva'a, who has touched down three times in the pool stages, will start at number 8 in a pack which includes Jack McGrath as captain, while Ben Marshall locks down alongside Mark Flanagan in the second row.

Leinster 'A' lie joint top of Pool 5 alongside the Welsh side on 15 points apiece ahead of the penultimate round of the pool stages.

* There is free entry for Leinster Season Ticket holders into Saturday's game upon presentation of this year's membership card.

LEINSTER 'A' (v Pontypridd): David Kearney; Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken, Jordan Coghlan, Fionn Carr; Noel Reid, John Cooney; Jack McGrath (capt), Tom Sexton, Jamie Hagan, Ben Marshall, Mark Flanagan, Dominic Ryan, Conor Gilsenan, Leo Auva'a.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack O'Connell, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Cathal Marsh, Andrew Boyle.

Prop Mike Ross reflected on Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final success at the RDS, saying: "There's less hype about it but it's a good competition to win. Many teams have won this and kicked on the next year. Hopefully with the few lads, like Jack McGrath who made his first appearance in a major final, the experience will stand them in good stead for next year."

Speaking in the aftermath of Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final win over Stade Francais, flanker Shane Jennings said: "There was obviously disappointment losing the three league finals. It's a huge focus for us (next week's PRO12 final). We know Ulster are a very good side, they are favourites and they're fresh and we're in for a huge game."

General Enquiries	info@IrishRugby.ie
Ticket Enquiries	ticketqueries@IrishRugby.ie

General Enquiries	info@IrishRugby.ie
Ticket Enquiries	ticketqueries@IrishRugby.ie

Connacht

Leinster

Munster

Ulster

Age Grade

Running Your Club

Anti Doping

Tickets

About Us

Referees

Rugby Development

RBS Six Nations

Heineken Cup

RaboDirect PRO12

Guinness Series

Charitable Trust

About Us

Newsletter

Contact Us

Leinster 'A' Prepare For Pontypridd Tie

Connacht Rugby

Leinster Rugby

Munster Rugby

Ulster Rugby

Contact Us