Same again for Leinster
Kidney retains same starting 15 for Cardiff Blues match on Sunday.
Coach Declan Kidney has named the same side that played and drew 11-11 with Worcester for Leinster’s first outing in the Celtic League.
This means that internationals Victor Costello and Brian O’Meara are omitted in favour of Des Dillon and Brian O’Riordan respectively. The pre-season has also been good to Dave McAllister, the former Terenure schoolboy claiming the outhalf spot with Christian Warner forming half the centre partnership with David Quinlan.
Kidney has also been boosted by the return of Kieran Lewis after close to a year on the sidelines with a cruciate knee injury. The former Ireland Under-21 (10 caps) / Ireland Schools (4 caps) star has been named amongst the replacements.
Kidney has named nine substitutes in total with two vacancies to be confirmed in the coming days.
Leinster:
15: James Norton
14: John McWeeney
13: Christian Warner
12: David Quinlan
11: Gary Brown
10: David McAllister
9: Brian O’Riordan
1: Emmett Byrne
2: Gavin Hickie
3: Peter Coyle
4: Leo Cullen (Captain)
5: Ben Gissing
6: Aidan McCullen
7: Shane Jennings
8: Des Dillon
Substitutes from:
Steve Barretto, AN Other, David Blaney, Ciaran Potts, Niall Ronan, Victor Costello, Brian O’Meara, Kieran Lewis, AN Other
*Leinster Rugby will be hosting a BBQ in Old Wesley RFC ahead of Sunday’s game. Fans can have their photos taken with Leinster’s International players, who will be on hand during the afternoon to sign autographs.
Wesley turnstile opens at 2.30pm, with BBQ food available from the Wesley End Only.