Leinster Team Named For PRO14 Clash With Dragons

Back in action.

The Leinster Rugby team has been named by head Coach Leo Cullen to face the Dragons tomorrow in Rodney Parade in Round 10 of the Guinness PRO14.

There are a number of changes as players involved during the Guinness Series with Ireland return to the Leinster squad but there is also a settled look to the team as many players are retained from the team that beat the Ospreys last Friday in the RDS.

Hugo Keenan makes his second start for the club after an accomplished first start last weekend with Adam Byrne again selected on the right wing and Dave Kearney coming into the team on the left wing.

There is a positional change in the midfield. Westmeath’s Conor O’Brien is again selected in the centre but makes the switch to inside with Jimmy O’Brien coming into the number 13 jersey after making his debut off the bench last week. It’s a new halfback partnership this week with Jamison Gibson-Park coming in and partnering the recently capped Irish international, Ross Byrne.

In the pack Ed Byrne starts this week after his try scoring exploits off the bench last week, with James Tracy and Michael Bent again at hooker and tighthead.

Ross Molony and captain Scott Fardy are again selected in the second row and similarly there is no change to the back row with Josh Murphy, Scott Penny and Caelan Doris all retained.

On the bench prop Andrew Porter returns after a successful Guinness Series for the former St. Andrew’s man while former Blackrock College student Paddy Patterson is in line to make his debut at scrumhalf. Patterson – who only turns 20 today – is in his first year in the Leinster Academy.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Hugo Keenan (3)
14. Adam Byrne (42)
13. Jimmy O’Brien (1)
12. Conor O’Brien (6)
11. Dave Kearney (126)
10. Ross Byrne (56)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (58)
1. Ed Byrne (29)
2. James Tracy (76)
3. Michael Bent (111)
4. Ross Molony (70)
5. Scott Fardy (30) CAPTAIN
6. Josh Murphy (13)
7. Scott Penny (1)
8. Caelan Doris (5)

16. Bryan Byrne (31)
17. Peter Dooley (53)
18. Andrew Porter (38)
19. Mick Kearney (41)
20. Max Deegan (28)
21. Paddy Patterson (0)
22. Ciarán Frawley (5)
23. Tom Daly (11)

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