JAMISON GIBSON-PARK will make his Leinster debut tomorrow evening in the province’s final pre-season friendly against Bath at Donnybrook.
The Kiwi scrum-half, a recent arrival from the Hurricanes, has been included by Leo Cullen in the XV for the visit of the English Premiership side (kick-off 7.30pm).
The Leinster head coach has selected a strong team with the eastern province’s Pro12 campaign opener against Treviso just eight days away.
Rob Kearney will make his first start of the season after fully recovering from the hamstring injury which saw him miss Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa.
Garry Ringrose, meanwhile, is also named in the side while New Zealand-born Ireland U20 international Joey Carbery gets the chance to impress at out-half once again.
In the pack, Cian Healy returns for the first time since April while Ross Molony will captain the home side from second row with the returning Mike McCarthy alongside him.
Josh van der Flier, Zane Kirchner and Dominic Ryan are among the replacements, with Cullen expected to give his full squad a run out before the serious business begins.
Last season’s Pro12 finalists have won their two friendlies to date, defeating Ulster and Gloucester over consecutive weekends. Treviso are the visitors to the RDS next Friday 2 September.
Tickets are still available for tomorrow evening’s game at Donnybrook and can be purchased via Ticket Master.
Leinster (v Bath):
15. Rob Kearney
14. Garry Ringrose
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Noel Reid
11. Adam Byrne
10. Joey Carbery
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. James Tracy
3. Michael Bent
4. Ross Molony (captain)
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Josh Murphy
7. Dan Leavy
8. Peadar Timmins
Replacements:
Bryan Byrne
Andrew Porter
Jeremy Loughman
Hayden Triggs
Dominic Ryan
Nick McCarthy
Cathal Marsh
Zane Kirchner
Sean McNulty
Peter Dooley
Ian Nagle
Josh van der Flier
Charlie Rock
Ross Byrne
Tom Daly
Barry Daly
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