Leinster Bring In Kearney, Deegan And Penny For Edinburgh Clash
Returning flanker Scott Penny is pictured in action during the Leinster 'A' team's Celtic Cup win over Connacht Eagles in Galway last Friday ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon
The Leinster team to face Edinburgh in the GUINNESS PRO14 at the RDS on Friday (kick-off 7.35pm) contains three changes in personnel. Click here to buy your match ticket(s).
Head coach Leo Cullen has brought Dave Kearney back in on the right wing, the hat-trick hero and man-of-the-match from the first round win away to Benetton Rugby. Hugo Keenan and James Lowe complete the back-three, with Joe Tomane and Rory O’Loughlin continuing together in the centre.
Out-half Ross Byrne, who has kicked 20 points across the first two PRO14 games, will be partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park for the third fixture in a row. Cullen has also picked the same tight five from last week’s 53-5 bonus point victory at home to the Ospreys.
Young hooker Ronan Kelleher, who notched a hat-trick in a man-of-the-match performance in round 2, is flanked by Peter Dooley and Michael Bent, with the front row backed up by experienced locks Devin Toner and captain Scott Fardy, who have a massive 278 Leinster appearances between them.
Caelan Doris gets another run-out at number 8, but there is a back row reshuffle as Max Deegan and Scott Penny will fill the flanker berths. It is the 20-year-old Penny’s first start of the new season after he underwent shoulder surgery in June.
Meanwhile, Leinster have also reminded Season Ticket Holders that the second and final season pack collection event will be held between 6pm and 7.15pm in Industries Hall (Hall 3).
Access to the collection point strictly closed at 7.15pm to allow supporters to make their way to their seats in good time for the 7.35pm kick-off and to ensure as little disruption as possible once the game has kicked off for patrons already in their seats. Collections will again be open after the final whistle.
LEINSTER (v Edinburgh): Hugo Keenan; Dave Kearney, Rory O’Loughlin, Joe Tomane, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Peter Dooley, Ronan Kelleher, Michael Bent, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy (capt), Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: James Tracy, Michael Milne, Vakh Abdaladze, Ross Molony, Josh Murphy, Rowan Osborne, Harry Byrne, Jimmy O’Brien.