SAM PRENDERGAST WILL make his senior debut for Leinster this weekend after being named in the starting XV to take on the Emirates Lions tomorrow [KO 3pm, TG4/Premier Sports/URC TV].
The highly-rated out-half – who is the younger brother of Connacht forward Cian – starred for the Ireland U20s as they stormed to Grand Slam success this year.
Prendergast, 20, partners Nick McCarthy in the half-backs as the URC leaders head into back-to-back URC games in South Africa.
Chris Cosgrave starts at full-back, with Dave Kearney and Tommy O’Brien named on the wings. O’Brien will make his first apperance of the season after recovering from a knee injury.
Liam Turner and Ben Brownlee start in the centre positions with Prendergast and McCarthy completing the backline.
In the front row, there is a first start for Georgia international Vakhtang Abdaladze at tighthead, with Michael Milne at loosehead and Lee Barron at hooker.
South African international Jason Jenkins and Brian Deeny start in the second row, with Rhys Ruddock – who captains the side – Will Connors and Max Deegan in the back row.
The Leinster bench features five Academy players – Alex Soroka, James Culhane, Ben Murphy, Charlie Tector and Rob Russell all looking to impress.
Leinster
- 15. Chris Cosgrave
- 14. Tommy O’Brien
- 13. Liam Turner
- 12. Ben Brownlee
- 11. Dave Kearney
- 10. Sam Prendergast
- 9. Nick McCarthy
- 1. Michael Milne
- 2. Lee Barron
- 3. Vakhtang Abdaladze
- 4. Brian Deeny
- 5. Jason Jenkins
- 6. Rhys Ruddock (captain)
- 7. Will Connors
- 8. Max Deegan
Replacements:
- 16. Tadgh McElroy
- 17. Ed Byrne
- 18. Thomas Clarkson
- 19. Alex Soroka
- 20. James Culhane
- 21. Ben Murphy
- 22. Charlie Tector
- 23. Rob Russell
Emirates Lions
- 15. Quan Horn
- 14. Stean Pienaar
- 13. Manuel Rass
- 12. Marius Louw (captain)
- 11. Edwill van der Merwe
- 10 .Gianni Lombard
- 9. Sanele Nohamba
- 1. Rhynardt Rijnsburger
- 2. PJ Botha
- 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye
- 4. Willem Alberts
- 5. Ruben Schoeman
- 6. Jaco Kriel
- 7. Ruan Delport
- 8. Francke Horn
Replacements:
- 16. Morne Brandon
- 17. JP Smith
- 18. Ruan Dreyer
- 19. Darrien Landsberg
- 20. Travis Gordon
- 21. Morne van den Berg
- 22. Rynhardt Jonker
- 23. Andries Coetzee
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
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