THE LEINSTER TEAM for Saturday’s Guinness Pro14 opener against the Dragons [KO 3.15pm, Sky Sports Action] shows two newcomers.
Leo Cullen hands debuts to Scott Fardy, the 33-year-old Australian international, and 20-year-old former St. Andrew’s student Jordan Larmour.
Fergus McFadden was pulled out of contention for selection after a calf injury prevented him from training this week, while Jordi Murphy was due to start but pulled up with a knee problem. Both are being held back as a precaution.
Rob Kearney makes his competitive return and features for Leinster for the first time in nearly eight months, while Adam Byrne, starts on the right wing with Larmour on the left.
Isa Nacewa will captain the side from the centre with newly capped Irish international Rory O’Loughlin beside him in the number 13 jersey.
In the pack Cian Healy makes his first appearance of the season having not featured in any of the pre-season matches. Devin Toner makes his 199th appearance for Leinster in the second row.
Leinster:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Adam Byrne
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Isa Nacewa (Captain)
11. Jordan Larmour
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. Seán Cronin
3. Michael Bent
4. Devin Toner
5. Scott Fardy
6. Dan Leavy
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Max Deegan
Replacements:
16. James Tracy
17. Ed Byrne
18. Andrew Porter
19. James Ryan
20. Jack Conan
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Cathal Marsh
23. Barry Daly
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