RG Snyman to make Leinster debut as Leo Cullen names side to face Benetton

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Benetton Rugby in Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship tomorrow at Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso (KO: 6.15pm local time / 5.15pm Irish time, live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen.

New signing RG Snyman is set to earn his first cap while Caelan Doris will lead the team for the first time since being named captain over the summer.

There are twelve personnel changes to the starting XV from the side that beat Dragons last Friday, with the three men retained from that game all lining up in a new position. Jimmy O'Brien switches to the right wing while Jamie Osborne moves into the centre, with Jack Conan shifting to flanker.

Eight Irish internationals return to the starting line up, including Hugo Keenan, who makes his first appearance in the 15-man game since reaching the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games with the Irish Sevens team.

James Lowe comes in to complete the back three while Garry Ringrose partners Osborne in the centre.

Jamison Gibson-Park comes back into the team for his second appearance of the season as Ciarán Frawley takes the number ten shirt.

Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong complete a front row all making their first appearances of the season, with Joe McCarthy following up his try-scoring performance of the bench last week to take a starting berth alongside debutant Snyman in the second row.

Josh van der Flier is also drafted into the starting team after coming off the bench against Dragons, with Conan and captain Doris completing the pack.

Lee Barron and Michael Milne retain their places on the bench where they are joined by Thomas Clarkson, who started the first two games of the season.

Ryan Baird is set for his first action of the season, with Brian Deeny and Scott Penny completing a 6/2 split on the Leinster bench.

Academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne is set to make his second appearance of the season off the bench as Ross Byrne provides the cover at out-half after scoring a try in last week's win.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (66)
14. Jimmy O’Brien (83)
13. Garry Ringrose (125)
12. Jamie Osborne (50)
11. James Lowe (81)
10. Ciarán Frawley (89)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (143)

1. Andrew Porter (122)
2. Rónan Kelleher (65)
3. Tadhg Furlong (147)
4. Joe McCarthy (36)
5. RG Snyman (0)
6. Jack Conan (150)
7. Josh van der Flier (144)
8. Caelan Doris CAPTAIN (83)

Replacements:
16. Lee Barron (17)
17. Michael Milne (43)
18. Thomas Clarkson (43)
19. Ryan Baird (71)
20. Brian Deeny (23)
21. Fintan Gunne (4)
22. Ross Byrne (164)
23. Scott Penny (72)

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)