Two players set for debut as Cullen names team to face Lions in season opener

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on the 10bet Lions in our BKT United Rugby Championship season opener at Ellis Park this Saturday (KO: 12.30pm Irish time / 1.30pm local time, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen.

There are two debutants named in the matchday squad, with Academy full-back Todd Lawlor handed the 15 shirt after an impressive outing in our Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly against Zebre Parma, while first-year Academy forward Dylan McNeice is named on the bench.

Max Deegan captains the side at flanker with Scott Penny on the other side and Academy back row Josh Ericson named at number eight for his first start.

Ryan Baird partners Conor O’Tighearnaigh in the second row, while Alex Usanov and Andrew Porter will scrum down either side of Gus McCarthy in the front row.

Academy out-half Caspar Gabriel makes his first start with Fintan Gunne his partner at scrum-half, while Charlie Tector and Hugh Cooney are named in the centre.

Tommy O’Brien and Andrew Osborne line up on the wings with Lawlor at full-back.

Peter Dooley is in line for his first Leinster appearance since rejoining the province from Connacht this summer as he is named alongside Stephen Smyth and Niall Smyth as the front row replacements with McNeice and Brian Deeny completing the forward reinforcements.

Oliver Coffey provides the cover at scrum-half with Harry Byrne covering out-half and Academy back Ciarán Mangan completing the matchday 23.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Todd Lawlor (0)
14. Tommy O’Brien (62)
13. Hugh Cooney (13)
12. Charlie Tector (27)
11. Andrew Osborne (20)
10. Caspar Gabriel (1)
9. Fintan Gunne (33)

1. Alex Usanov (10)
2. Gus McCarthy (31)
3. Andrew Porter (150)
4. Ryan Baird (90)
5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (11)
6. Max Deegan (161) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (106)
8. Josh Ericson (2)

Replacements:
16. Stephen Smyth (4)
17. Peter Dooley (104)
18. Niall Smyth (2)
19. Brian Deeney (53)
20. Dylan McNeice (0)
21. Oliver Coffey (2)
22. Harry Byrne (94)
23. Ciarán Mangan (2)

Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU).