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Leavy starts on Friday with McGrath and Tracy held in reserve. Billy Stickland/INPHO
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Newly-capped internationals Leavy, Tracy and McGrath boost Leinster for trip to Scarlets

Rory O’Loughlin also returns from injury and is set to start in Wales.

LEINSTER HEAD COACH Leo Cullen has named his team for tomorrow evening’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Scarlets [KO 7.35pm].

Newly-capped Ireland international Dan Leavy returns to the side in one of several changes to the team that accounted for Zebre before the two-week break.

Luke McGrath and James Tracy are also included in the travelling party having made their Ireland debuts in the recent November Test victory over Canada. They are named on the bench.

In the one change to the backline, Rory O’Loughlin has recovered from a shoulder injury to partner Noel Reid in midfield while Ross Byrne continues at out-half in the absence of Johnny Sexton, Joey Carbery and Cathal Marsh.

Adam Byrne, who scored a hat-trick in Parma last time out, continues on the wing with Barry Daly set to start on the opposite flank.

Up front, Peter Dooley comes in at loose head and joins internationals Richardt Strauss and Michael Bent in the front row with Bent winning his 70th cap for Leinster.

Leinster Rugby TV / YouTube

With Dominic Ryan named at number six, Leavy moves to open side flanker with Jack Conan completing the back row.

Leinster head into round nine of fixtures top of the Pro12 table after embarking on a run of six successive victories.

Scarlets, meanwhile, have won their last five games and are just one win outside the top four.

Leinster:

15. Isa Nacewa
14. Adam Byrne
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Noel Reid
11. Barry Daly
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Peter Dooley
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Michael Bent
4. Mike McCarthy
5. Ian Nagle
6. Dominic Ryan
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan

Replacements:

16. James Tracy
17. Andrew Porter
18. Oisín Heffernan
19. Ross Molony
20. Peadar Timmins
21. Luke McGrath
22. Tom Daly
23. Zane Kirchner

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