Leinster Team Named For Scarlets Clash
The Leinster team to face the Scarlets in Saturday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 fixture at the RDS (kick-off 7.15pm) has been named.
Head coach Matt O’Connor can call upon several members of the Ireland squad who were involved in the recent GUINNESS Series matches.
There is a blend of youth and experience across the team with the province’s most-capped player Gordon D’Arcy, who will make his 228th appearance, partnering Brendan Macken – with 32 provincial caps to date – in the centre.
Eoin Reddan makes his 88th appearance and links up with Ian Madigan at half-back, with Luke Fitzgerald – one of eight Ireland internationals named in the starting line-up – featuring in an exciting back-three alongside South African international Zane Kirchner and former Wallaby Lote Tuqiri.
The fit-again Leo Cullen will make his seasonal debut for the province, lining out in the second row alongside Mike McCarthy.
Fresh from his involvement with the Ireland squad, Jack McGrath will start in the front row alongside hooker Aaron Dundon and Bank of Ireland Player of the Month Martin Moore.
Shane Jennings leads the side and is named in the back row alongside Academy graduates Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy, who will wear the number 8 jersey.
Leinster can call upon a further three Ireland internationals off the bench, including the likes of Sean Cronin and Mike Ross as well as New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth.
Tickets sales for Saturday’s game have passed the 15,200 mark. Tickets can be bought online here, and from the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook), Active Sports (Blackrock) as well as Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
LEINSTER (v Scarlets): Zane Kirchner; Lote Tuqiri, Brendan Macken, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan; Jack McGrath, Aaron Dundon, Martin Moore, Leo Cullen, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings (capt), Jordi Murphy.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Michael Bent, Mike Ross, Tom Denton, Dominic Ryan, Luke McGrath, Jimmy Gopperth, Darragh Fanning.