Leinster Team Announced For League Derby

The Leinster team to face Connacht in Saturday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby clash at the RDS (kick-off 5pm) has been named.

Kevin McLaughlin returns to the Leinster side after missing the recent victories over the Scarlets and Aironi due to an ankle injury.

The Ireland international starts alongside Leo Auva’a and skipper Rhys Ruddock in the back row. Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss and Jamie Hagan continue in the front row.

At half-back Cillian Willis partners Ian Madigan, who came off the replacements bench to score his third try in five league games in the 26-7 win over Aironi last weekend.

Luke Fitzgerald, who also had a pivotal role in that comeback victory, continues his centre partnership with Eoin O’Malley, while Fionn Carr, David Kearney and Isa Nacewa complete the back-line.

Saturday’s interprovincial derby has been themed ‘Kids Takeover’ with a family fun evening in store which will see young Leinster supporters from across the province take on the running of the matchday activities.

Young boys and girls will be involved in a range of tasks on the night including announcing the teams to the stadium, delivering the match ball and some will even be turned into mini sports reporters as they conduct interviews with the squad.

A family of four can attend the game for just €;65 (family ticket). Over 15,100 tickets have already been sold and tickets are still on sale online here and from the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) as well as Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

LEINSTER (v Connacht): Isa Nacewa; Fionn Carr, Eoin O’Malley, Luke Fitzgerald, David Kearney; Ian Madigan, Cillian Willis; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Jamie Hagan, Steven Sykes, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Rhys Ruddock (capt), Leo Auva’a.

Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Damian Browne, Dominic Ryan, John Cooney, Brendan Macken, Darren Hudson.