Jack Dunne will captain Leinster Rugby ‘A’ when Noel McNamara’s side face Connacht Eagles behind closed doors at Energia Park on Saturday (KO 2pm).
Dunne is one of three senior players named in the squad to face Connacht along with Dan Sheehan and Hugh O’Sullivan.
Sheehan, who scored a brace of tries and collected the Guinness Player of the Match award on his senior debut against Zebre in October, starts at hooker with Marcus Hanan and Greg McGrath joining him in the front row.
Charlie Ryan will partner captain Dunne in the second row.
It’s an all Academy back row for the ‘A’ team tomorrow with Martin Moloney at blindside flanker, Sean O’Brien at openside, and Alex Soroka starting at number 8.
O’Sullivan starts at scrum-half in a half-back pairing with David Hawkshaw, another player who made his senior debut earlier this season, in the win away to Glasgow Warriors.
Liam Turner, who has made four senior appearances so far this season, starts at inside centre with Max O’Reilly outside him in the 13 shirt.
Michael Silvester was one of four players to make their debut against Zebre in October and followed that up by scoring his first try against Cardiff Blues in November.
He will start at full-back for the ‘A’ team, with Andrew Smith and Aaron O’Sullivan completing the back three.
Leinster Rugby ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles
(Leinster Rugby senior caps in brackets)
15. Michael Silvester (2)
14. Aaron O’Sullivan
13. Max O’Reilly
12. Liam Turner (4)
11. Andrew Smith
10. David Hawkshaw (3)
9. Hugh O’Sullivan (24)
1. Marcus Hanan
2. Dan Sheehan (5)
3. Greg McGrath
4. Charlie Ryan
5. Jack Dunne (10) CAPTAIN
6. Martin Moloney
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Alex Soroka
16. Lee Barron
17. Jack Boyle
18. Thomas Connolly
19. Joe McCarthy
20. Will Hickey
21. Cormac Foley
22. Jamie Osborne
23. Niall Comerford
24. Chris Cosgrave
