The Leinster squad to face Edinburgh in Friday night’s Magners League clash at Murrayfield (kick-off 7.45pm) has been named.
Ireland internationals Leo Cullen, Gordon D’Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Trevor Hogan and Shane Horgan have been included in a Leinster squad that features a mix of youth and experience for the visit to the Scottish capital.
Also included are a number of Academy players who have performed strongly for the Leinster ‘A’ team this term, while Fergus McFadden and Paul O’Donohoe are included after impressing in the recent Magners League victories over the Scarlets and the Ospreys.
Isa Nacewa and Ollie Le Roux supplement the panel for Leinster’s second away trip in five days.
Commenting on the game and the opposition, Leinster defence coach Kurt McQuilkin said: “Edinburgh are a side we rate highly. This will be the fourth time that we meet for the second successive season, so you could say that there’s a degree of familiarity between us.
“But we won’t be lulled into a false sense of security. We will continue to actively scout their games since we last met (in the Heineken Cup) in January.
“They are a side that like to attack you up front as well as out wide. They have a number of top internationals and in Mike Blair they have an outstanding performer.
“Hugo Southwell, Chris Paterson and Nick De Luca are three more international class backs, while up front they have quality forwards like Allister Hogg and Ross Ford.
“Their coach Andy Robinson has done a very good job and Edinburgh are an effective team all over the park. We know that from experience and we have the utmost respect for them.
“We know how tough the task will be on Friday, but there has been a real buzz around training this week. It’s a short five-day turnaround (from the quarter-final against Harlequins) so management of players will be an important factor.
“We have a very competitive squad and it’s good that the level of competition for places is so high. Friday will provide an opportunity for different players to put their hands up for selection.
LEINSTER Squad (v Edinburgh): Backs (13) – Chris Keane, Paul O’Donohoe, Isa Nacewa, Ian McKinley, Simon Keogh, Gordon D’Arcy, Eamonn Sheridan, Kyle Tonetti, Fergus McFadden, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Niall Morris.
Forwards (14) – Ollie Le Roux, Ronan McCormack, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Jason Harris-Wright, Jamie Hagan, Stephen Knoop, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Cameron Jowitt, Sean O’Brien, Stephen Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin.
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