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.