The Leinster ‘A’ and Munster ‘A’ teams to face each other in the semi-finals of the British & Irish (B&I) Cup in the RDS this evening (KO: 6pm) have been named…
*Admission today is free for Leinster season ticket holders upon presentation of this year’s membership card. Tickets will be on sale on the turnstiles from 4.30pm (priced €;10-adult, €;5-schoolchildren).
Speaking ahead of the game, Leinster ‘A’ Coach Colin McEntee said: “The B&I Cup competition has improved in quality progressively over the last number of years and it’s not too often that emerging players have the opportunity to play in front of what will hopefully be a big crowd in the RDS. So the anticipation has risen over the last few days and the squad are in a good frame of mind for Friday’s test.
“Though we’re without a few players through injury, we’re pleased to be able to call upon several experienced players such as Damian (Browne) for what is going to be the biggest test that we have faced so far this season.
“Munster are a quality side and Ian (Costello) has done a fantastic job with them this year. They have a strong crop of emerging Irish talent on show, each of whom will be as keen as we are to win.
“It is vital in knockout rugby to take whatever chances come your way and we know that we will have to be accurate, aggressive and disciplined if we’re to progress to the final.
“It has been a long build up to the semi since the friendly against Connacht last month, and hopefully we can kick off a successful weekend for the province with a win.”
Leinster have defeated Esher away (32-18), Melrose at home (42-20) and Llanelli away (19-13), drew with London Welsh (24-24) before defeating Pontypridd (32-0) last time out in Donnybrook to ensure a home semi final berth.
LEINSTER ‘A’:
15: David Kearney
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brendan Macken
12: Colm O’Shea
11: Fionn Carr
10: Noel Reid
9: Luke McGrath
1: Jack McGrath
2: Aaron Dundon
3: Martin Moore
4: Damian Browne
5: Mark Flanagan
6: Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Leo Auva’a
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Thomas Sexton
17: Jack O’Connell
18: Jordan Coughlan
19: Jordi Murphy
20: Matt Healy
21: Cathal Marsh
22: Andrew Boyle
MUNSTER: S Scanlon Cork Con); L O’Dea (Shannon), D Barnes (Dolphin), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohs), I Dineen (Cork Con); S Deasy (Cork Con), D Williams (Cork Con), D Kilcoyne (UL Bohs), S Henry (UL Bohs), J Ryan (Cork Con), B Hayes (Cork Con), I Nagle (Cork Con); B Holland (Cork Con) CAPTAIN, B O’Mahony (Clontarf), P Butler (Shannon)
REPLACEMENTS: D Fogarty (Cork Con), P Borlase, P Donnelly (Cork Con), B O’Hara (Cork Con), C Sheridan (UL Bohs), D Cusack (Garryowen), R O’Mahony Garryowen)
REFEREE: Ian Davies (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mark Patton (IRFU), Jonathan Peak (IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Eanna O’Dowd (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: Aidan Fogarty (Leinster Rugby Referees)
