Kidney announces his first Leinster line-up

Leo Cullen captains Leinster in their seasonal debut against Worcester in Clontarf on Friday as Declan Kidney announces his first team.

Ireland star Leo Cullen will lead Leinster when they face Worcester at Castle Avenue (Clontarf FC, 7.30pm) on Friday.
The international lock skippers the side for Declan Kidney’s first game in charge as Leinster coach against the Zurich Premiership newcomers.

Cullen partners local favourite Ben Gissing in a Leinster pack which includes Shane Jennings, Aidan McCullen and Des Dillon while Peter Coyle partners Gavin Hickie in the front row and Kidney has left vacancies at 1 & 16.

Brian O’Riordan is partnered alongside Christian Warner at half-back with Blackrock College duo David Quinlan and Gary Brown forming the centre partnership.

James Norton and John McWeeney have been named on the wings, with Clontarf back David Hewitt named at full-back.

Barnhall scrum-half – and brother of Brendan – Eoin Burke is named amongst the subs alongside Blackrock full back Conor Kilroy and Lansdowne winger Fiachra Baynes.

Meanwhile, Worcester include England international Pat Sanderson at wing forward and Samoan centre Dale Rasmussen, while Scotland centre Ben Hinshelwood skippers the side.

French international Thomas Lombard has been named amongst the replacements.

Leinster:
15: David Hewitt
14: John McWeeney
13: Gary Brown
12: David Quinlan
11: James Norton
10: Christian Warner
9: Brian O’Riordan
1: *AN Other
2: Gavin Hickie
3: Peter Coyle
4: Leo Cullen (Captain)
5: Ben Gissing
6: Aidan McCullen
7: Shane Jennings
8: Des Dillon
Replacements:
16: *AN Other
17: David Blaney
18: Ciaran Potts
19: Niall Ronan
20: Eoin Burke
21: David McAllister
22: Conor Kilroy
23: Fiachra Baynes

Worcester:
(denotes squad numbers which will be worn on Friday):
15: Duncan Roke (27)
14: Jonny Hilton (17)
13: Dale Rasmussen (26)
12: Ben Hinshelwood (Captain) (15)
11: Ben Gollings (9)
10: James Brown (2)
9: Matt Powell (25)
1: Tony Windo (33)
2: Ben Daly (4)
3: Chris Horsman (16)
4: Phil Murphy (22)
5: Craig Gillies (8)
6: Leon Greeff (10)
7: Pat Sanderson (28)
8: Drew Hickey (13)
Replacements:
16: Steven Sparks (29 – prop)
17: Tom Warren (6 – prop)
18: Andre van Niekerk (34 – hooker)
19: Chris Hall (11 – hooker)
20: James Percival (24 – lock)
21: Neil Mason (21 – backrow)
22: Siaosi Vaili (32 – backrow)
23: Clive Stuart-Smith (30 – scrumhalf)
24: Neil Cole (3 – scrumhalf)
25: Tommy Hayes (12 – outhalf)
26: Thomas Lombard (18 – utility)
27: Darren O’Leary (23 – utility)
28: John Higgins (14 – utility)
Referee: Simon McDowell (URS)