Ahead of the Captain’s Run in the RDS Arena this afternoon, Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has announced his match day 23 to take on Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness PRO12 tomorrow (Kick Off: 7.35pm – live on TG4).
There are a number of changes from the team that faced Clermont last Sunday in the Champions Cup Semi-Final with a number of significant milestones celebrated at the Ballsbridge venue as Leinster look to secure a top of the Guinness PRO12 table end of season finish.
Zane Kirchner will start his last regular season game in the RDS before he departs to the Newport Gwent Dragons during the summer, with Adam Byrne coming in on the right wing and Fergus McFadden continuing on the left.
In the centre Carlow man Tom Daly starts his first ever game at the RDS. In his eight games to date, seven off the bench and one start away to Zebre in November, he has scored two tries. He will have Old Belvedere’s Rory O’Loughlin outside him in the number 13 jersey tomorrow evening.
UCD’s Nick McCarthy starts his first ever game for Leinster at scrumhalf with his former St. Michael’s classmate Ross Byrne outside him at ten.
In the pack Peter Dooley starts at loose head prop with James Tracy at hooker, while Mike Ross, who announced his retirement earlier this week, starts his last regular season game at the RDS at tight head.
Ross Molony will captain the side for the first time in a competitive game. He has previously captained the side in a pre-season friendly against Bath but this will be the first time leading the team out in the Guinness PRO12. Beside him, fresh from leading Clontarf to a second AIL Final in as many years last weekend, Mick Kearney slots into the second lock position.
In the back row Dominic Ryan comes in at blind side flanker, with Josh van der Flier selected at open side and Jack Conan continuing at number eight for his 50th cap in Leinster colours.
Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Zane Kirchner (86)
14. Adam Byrne (21)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (19)
12. Tom Daly (8)
11. Fergus McFadden (150)
10. Ross Byrne (21)
9. Nick McCarthy (6)
1. Peter Dooley (37)
2. James Tracy (39)
3. Mike Ross (151)
4. Ross Molony (42) CAPTAIN
5. Mick Kearney (20)
6. Dominic Ryan (112)
7. Josh van der Flier (43)
8. Jack Conan (49)
16. Richardt Strauss (144)
17. Jack McGrath (110)
18. Michael Bent (85)
19. Ian Nagle (10)
20. Dan Leavy (36)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (26)
22. Joey Carbery (20)
23. Noel Reid (80)
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 66th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Rhys Thomas (WRU), Simone Boaretto (FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)
