LEINSTER HEAD COACH Leo Cullen has made a wholesale change to his side for the visit of Pro12 leaders Scarlets tomorrow (KO 19.35).
Eight of the starting line-up were involved in Rugby World Cup squads, but Cullen has also given Garry Ringrose the number 13 jersey along with a first provincial start for both Cian Kelleher and hooker James Tracy.
With just a five-day turnaround to work with after Sunday’s win over Treviso, captain Isa Nacewa is kept out of the matchday 23 with Rob Kearney starting and Ben Te’o filling the number 23 shirt.
As Jonathan Sexton is on the bench, Jamie Heaslip captains the side from number eight, flanked by Sean O’Brien and Dominic Ryan.
There is also real heft to help out Tracy on his full debut in the tight five, with Devin Toner and Tom Denton packing down behind Cian Healy and Mike Ross. Ian Madigan takes the reins at out-half.
Leinster:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Zane Kirchner
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Noel Reid
11. Cian Kelleher
10. Ian Madigan
9. Isaac Boss
1. Cian Healy
2. James Tracy
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Tom Denton
6. Dominic Ryan
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip (Capt.)
Replacements:
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Jack McGrath
18. Marty Moore
19. Hayden Triggs
20. Dan Leavy
21. Luke McGrath
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Ben Te’o
Scarlets
15. Aled Thomas
14. Tom Williams
13. Gareth Owen
12. Hadleigh Parkes
11. Michael Tagicakibau
10. Dan Jones
9. Gareth Davies
1. Rob Evans
2. Emyr Phillips
3. Peter Edwards
4. Jake Ball
5. Lewis Rawlins
6. Aaron Shingler
7. James Davies
8. John Barclay (Capt.)
Replacements:
16..Ken Owens
17. Dylan Evans
18. Will Taylor
19. Tom Price
20. Maselino Paulino
21. Aled Davies
22. Michael Collins
23. Harry Robinson
Before the league leaders visit the RDS though, the A team take on the Connacht Eagles in Donnybrook today (17.00).
Among experienced heads like Darragh Fanning and Michael Bent, Ross Byrne and Charlie Rock are named at half-back and will aim to supply Tom Daly, Tom Farrell and fullback Adam Byrne with plenty of ammunition.
Leinster A (v Connacht Eagles)
15. Adam Byrne
14. Rory O’Loughlin
13. Tom Farrell
12. Tom Daly
11. Darragh Fanning
10. Ross Byrne
9. Charlie Rock
1. Peter Dooley
2. Sean McNulty
3. Michael Bent
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. David O’Connor
6. Josh Murphy
7. Peadar Timmins (Capt.)
8. Tony Ryan
Replacements:
16. Oisin Heffernan
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. Royce Burke-Flynn
19. Max Deegan
20. Will Connors
21. Joey Carbery
22. Harrison Brewer
23. Ian Fitzpatrick
