Leinster Squad Confirmed For Ulster Pre-Season Clash
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named an extended 32-man squad for Saturday’s trip to Navan RFC for the Bank of Ireland pre-season opener against Ulster (kick-off 3pm).
It is very much a mix of youth and experience with seven internationals in the squad in addition to a number of players from the Leinster sub and full Academy. There is also an opportunity for some of the younger members of the Leinster panel, like Ross Molony and Luke McGrath, to hit the ground running after stellar campaigns last season.
Commenting on the game, Leo Cullen said: “Saturday can’t come soon enough for the players. They are very much looking forward to visiting Navan and playing in front of the home support. Pulling on the Leinster jersey for the first time this season after a tough pre-season schedule is something they are all excited by.”
With a number of frontline players ruled out with injury or unavailable for selection due to an extended break after the tour to South Africa with Ireland, it offers Cullen and his backroom team of Kurt McQuilkin, Girvan Dempsey and John Fogarty the chance to run the rule over a number of players.
“For some players like Mike McCarthy, Josh van der Flier and Fergus McFadden it will be a great opportunity to reintegrate back in to the team after missing out on the tail-end of last season. Ian Nagle and Niall Morris the same – two new players into the squad and they are just keen to get up and running and to get used to their new team-mates in a match situation.
“But I think the supporters that come to Navan should also be excited to see the next group of Leinster players possibly for the first time. The likes of Andrew Porter and Vakh Abdaladze who starred at the recent Under-20 World Championship with Ireland, former Ireland U-20 captain Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Ireland Sevens captain Tom Daly. This is a great opportunity for those players to test themselves in a competitive environment and to show us all what they are capable of.”
The Leinster boss added: “It’s been a great pre-season so far but we know what’s around the corner and these three games against Ulster, Gloucester and Bath are the perfect test ahead of the start of the GUINNESS PRO12 on September 2.”
The Leinster squad and management, including Isa Nacewa and consultant coach Sir Graham Henry, will also be meeting local supporters following the game on Saturday with a signing session taking place afterwards in Navan RFC.
Tickets for the match in Navan RFC are on sale now from €;10.
LEINSTER Squad (v Ulster) – Backs (15): Adam Byrne, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Barry Daly, Tom Daly, Billy Dardis, Ian Fitzpatrick, Zane Kirchner, Cathal Marsh, Nick McCarthy, Fergus McFadden, Luke McGrath, Niall Morris, Rory O’Loughlin, Charlie Rock.
Forwards (17): Vakh Abdaladze, Michael Bent, Bryan Byrne, Jack Conan, Peter Dooley, Dan Leavy, Mike McCarthy, Sean McNulty, Ross Molony, Josh Murphy, Ian Nagle, Andrew Porter, Dominic Ryan, Peadar Timmins, James Tracy, Hayden Triggs, Josh van der Flier.