JOHNNY SEXTON, Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong and Sean O’Brien will all make their seasonal bows when Leinster take on Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO14 at the RDS Friday evening [Kick-off: 7.35pm, live on TG4].
Sexton will captain the side at out-half and he goes into the game just nine shy of Leinster record holder Felipe Contepomi’s 1,225 point haul.
Joey Carbery is named in the 15 shirt for the third game in succession with Dave Kearney on the left wing. Fergus McFadden will make his first start in this year’s competition on the right.
Noel Reid and Rory O’Loughlin form the midfield partnership while Luke McGrath joins Sexton in the half-backs.
Sean Cronin packs down between McGrath and Furlong while Scott Fardy and Devin Toner both return to the second row having missed the mini-tour to South Africa.
In the back row Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy are selected at blindside and openside respectively, with O’Brien the final Lions addition at No. 8.
Leinster (v Edinburgh)
15. Joey Carbery
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Noel Reid
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton (Captain)
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Seán Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Scott Fardy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Seán O’Brien
Replacements:
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Andrew Porter
19. Ross Molony
20. Max Deegan
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordan Larmour
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