Leinster Select Side For Leicester Clash
The Leinster team to face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (kick-off 7.30pm) in Friday night’s final warm-up before the start of the Magners League has been named.
Fergus McFadden, a replacement against London Wasps last weekend, partners Eoin O’Malley at centre for the trip to Leicester, with a new half-back pairing of Isaac Boss and Ian McKinley.
Luke Fitzgerald continues at full-back and forms a back three with David Kearney and Niall Morris.
In the pack Nathan Hines starts in the second row alongside Devin Toner, with skipper Sean O’Brien forming a new back row alongside Dominic Ryan and Stephen Keogh.
Ballymena tighthead prop Simon Shawe, a long-time AIB Club International player, gets an opportunity at this level and starts in the front row alongside Heinke van der Merwe and Richardt Strauss.
Summer signing Ed O’Donoghue is also poised to make his debut for the province, having been named amongst the replacements.
LEINSTER (v London Wasps): Luke Fitzgerald; David Kearney, Eoin O’Malley, Fergus McFadden, Niall Morris; Ian McKinley, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Simon Shawe, Nathan Hines, Devin Toner, Dominic Ryan, Sean O’Brien (capt), Stephen Keogh
Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Stewart Maguire, Ed O’Donoghue, Paul Ryan, Paul O’Donohoe, Isa Nacewa, Michael Keating, Mariano Galarza, Eoin Sheriff, Ian Madigan, Eamonn Sheridan.