Academy duo Connor Fahy and Alex Mullan set to earn their first caps - Leinster Rugby

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Connacht Rugby in Round 5 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Dexcom Stadium this Friday (KO: 7.45pm, live on Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen.

"We always look forward to coming to Connacht but this time it will be tinged with sadness after the passing of Sean Coppinger, their long serving groundsman. He was always a great character and gave us a great welcome. He will be sadly missed by all of us that love rugby," said Cullen.

Max Deegan has been named captain for this week with Jordan Larmour making his season debut. Both Connor Fahy and Alex Mullan are set to receive their first caps.

Fintan Gunne and Joey Carbery are the half-backs with Charlie Tector partnering Academy debutant Fahy in the centre. Larmour joins Joshua Kenny and Todd Lawlor in rounding out the back line.

Gus McCarthy starts at hooker with Alex Usanov and Niall Smyth the props. Brian Deeny and Alan Spicer join forces in the second row.

Scott Penny is in at openside flanker alongside Deegan on the blindside with James Culhane at number eight.

Stephen Smyth, Peter Dooley and Alex Mullan provide the front row cover with Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka filling out the forward replacements. Cormac Foley provides the reinforcements at scrum-half with Academy out-half Caspar Gabriel and Ciarán Mangan completing the matchday 23.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Todd Lawlor (2)
14. Joshua Kenny (14)
13. Connor Fahy (0)
12. Charlie Tector (29)
11. Jordan Larmour (118)
10. Joey Carbery (39)
9. Fintan Gunne (38)

1. Alex Usanov (15)
2. Gus McCarthy (34)
3. Niall Smyth (4)
4. Brian Deeny (55)
5. Alan Spicer (4)
6. Max Deegan (163) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (110)
8. James Culhane (27)

Replacements:
16. Stephen Smyth (5)
17. Peter Dooley (106)
18. Alex Mullan (0)
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (15)
20. Alex Soroka (28)
21. Cormac Foley (23)
22. Caspar Gabriel (5)
23. Ciarán Mangan (4)

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU).