Leinster ‘A’ Team Announced For Jersey Game
Head coach Girvan Dempsey has named the Leinster ‘A’ team for Friday’s British & Irish Cup Pool 5 match against Jersey at Donnybrook (kick-off 7.30pm).
There is one change to the back-line that started the round 1 win away to Plymouth Albion. Scrum half Luke McGrath comes in to start in place of Nick McCarthy, but it is as you were from 10 to 15 from the Plymouth match. Ross Byrne completes the half-back pairing.
Cian Kelleher, a try scorer last weekend, is retained at full-back, with Adam Byrne and Sam Coghlan Murray, who also nabbed a try against Albion, starting on the wings. Steve Crosbie and Rory O’Loughlin line out together in midfield.
Peter Dooley and Bryan Byrne start their first game for Leinster ‘A’ this season. Oisin Heffernan is retained at tighthead prop for the third consecutive match for Girvan Dempsey’s side.
Tom Denton will captain the defending British & Irish Cup champions from the second row, with 20-year-old Ross Molony alongside him.
There is another start for Jordan Coghlan in the back row. He will be flanked by Josh van der Flier and Ben Marshall. van der Flier returns to action for the ‘A’ team after putting in an impressive performance in his first senior appearance in the GUINNESS PRO12 game away to Zebre.
Entry to Donnybrook costs €;10 for adults and €;5 for Under-18s. Leinster Rugby Season Ticket holders can enter the ground for free.
LEINSTER ‘A’ (v Jersey): Cian Kelleher; Sam Coghlan Murray, Rory O’Loughlin, Steve Crosbie, Adam Byrne; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Peter Dooley, Bryan Byrne, Oisin Heffernan, Tom Denton (capt), Ross Molony, Ben Marshall, Josh van der Flier, Jordan Coghlan.
Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Brian McGovern, Gavin Thornbury, Nick Timoney, Nick McCarthy, Cathal Marsh, Tom Farrell.