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20-year-old McCarthy set for Leinster debut off bench against Toulon

The former Ireland U20 captain could make his bow against the three-time European champions.

Updated 2pm

LEINSTER HEAD COACH Leo Cullen is set to hand scrum-half Nick McCarthy his Leinster senior debut off the bench in the Champions Cup clash with Toulon at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow (KO 5.15pm, Sky Sports).

Nick McCarthy McCarthy is included on the bench. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Former Ireland U20 captain McCarthy comes into the matchday squad as Eoin Reddan is promoted into the starting team in place of the injured Isaac Boss.

With Fergus McFadden also ruled out through injury, Dave Kearney is selected on the right wing. Jack McGrath starts at loosehead prop as Michael Bent fills in for the suspended Cian Healy on the bench.

Otherwise, Cullen has gone for the same side that lost against Toulon in France last weekend, with Josh van der Flier given another opportunity to continue his superb form at openside.

Leinster:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Dave Kearney
13. Ben Te’o
12. Luke Fitzgerald
11. Isa Nacewa (captain)
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan

1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Michael Bent
18. Marty Moore
19. Tom Denton
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Ian Madigan
23. Zane Kirchner

Toulon:

15. Delon Armitage
14. Bryan Habana
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Drew Mitchell
10. Matt Giteau (captain)
9. Eric Escande

1. Florian Fresia
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Matt Stevens
4. Jocelino Suta
5. Romain Taofifenua
6. Juan Smith
7. Steffon Armitage
8. Duane Vermeulen

Replacements:

16. Anthony Etrillard
17. Xavier Chiocci
18. Levan Chilachava
19. Mamuka Gorgodze
20. Juan Fernandez Lobbe
21. Tom Taylor
22. Sebastien Tillous-Borde
23. Konstantine Mikautadze

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