Keogh To Lead Leinster Against Nice

The Leinster team to face Rugby Nice Cote d’Azur in Friday’s pre-season friendly in the south of France (kick-off 6pm Irish time, 7pm local time) has been named.

Stephen Keogh captains a Leinster side which includes summer signings Mike Ross and Shaun Berne, with the latter named at out-half.

Berne will partner Paul O’Donohoe at half-back in a back-line which includes Leinster Academy trio Niall Morris, Shane Monahan and Brendan Macken.

In the pack, Trevor Hogan lines up in the second row alongside his fellow Ireland international Malcolm O’Kelly.

Club captain Leo Cullen and Shane Horgan have also been named on an extended replacements bench which includes Ronan McCormack and triallist Billy Ngawini.

LEINSTER (v Rugby Nice Cote d’Azur) – Niall Morris; Shane Monahan, Brendan Macken, Isa Nacewa, Simon Keogh; Shaun Berne, Paul O’Donohoe; Stan Wright, John Fogarty, Mike Ross, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O’Kelly, Stephen Keogh (capt), Shane Jennings, Kevin McLaughlin.

Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Ronan McCormack, Leo Cullen, Eoin Sheriff, Paul Ryan, Chris Keane, David Moore, Shane Horgan, Billy Ngawini.