Rugby:The Leinster 'A' team to face Munster in the semi-finals of the British & Irish (B&I) Cup in the RDS tomorrow (6.0) shows a blend of youthful promise backboned by experience.
Following their unbeaten run in this year’s competition, the province switches from their traditional home of Donnybrook for this particular tournament to the RDS. Lansdowne’s John Cooney (jaw) is ruled out so he is replaced by Ireland Under-20 scrum-half Luke McGrath who makes his third appearance in this year’s competition.
McGrath partners Noel Reid in a backline who are all products of the Leinster Academy. Amongst them is the centre partnership of Colm O’Shea and Brendan Macken, the latter a double try-scorer in the previous round victory over Pontypridd.
Fionn Carr, Andrew Conway and David Kearney make up a lively back three, while up front the team will be led by Rhys Ruddock who is named in the backrow alongside Leo Auva’a and Dominic Ryan.
Damian Browne, returning from injury, partners former St. Finian’s, Mullingar secondrow Mark Flanagan who makes his eighth B&I Cup appearance. Jack McGrath is named in a front row alongside hooker Aaron Dundon and tighthead prop Martin Moore.
Leinster A Coach Colin McEntee admitted: “The B&I Cup competition has improved in quality progressively over the last number of years and it’s not too often that emerging players have the opportunity to play in front of what will hopefully be a big crowd in the RDS. So the anticipation has risen over the last few days and the squad are in a good frame of mind for Friday’s test.
“Though we’re without a few players through injury, we’re pleased to be able to call upon several experienced players such as Damian (Browne) for what is going to be the biggest test that we have faced so far this season.
“Munster are a quality side and Ian (Costello) has done a fantastic job with them this year. They have a strong crop of emerging Irish talent on show, each of whom will be as keen as we are to win. It is vital in knockout rugby to take whatever chances come your way and we know that we will have to be accurate, aggressive and disciplined if we’re to progress to the final.
“It has been a long build up to the semi since the friendly against Connacht last month, and hopefully we can kick off a successful weekend for the province with a win.”
Leinster have defeated Esher away (32-18), Melrose at home (42-20) and Llanelli away (19-13), drew with London Welsh (24-24) before defeating Pontypridd (32-0) last time out in Donnybrook to ensure a home semi final berth.
Meanwhile Munster A coach Ian Costello has delayed naming his side ahead of tomorrow's game against Leinster A based on the premise that several players are contending for a spot on the senior Munster team for the Heineken Cup against Ulster at Thomond Park on Sunday.
He has left a vacancy at centre, scrumhalf and flanker.
Admission is free for Leinster season ticket holders upon presentation of this year’s membership card. Tickets can be purchased online at www.leinsterrugby.ie and will be on sale at the turnstiles on the day (priced €10 adult, €5 schoolchildren).
Leinster A:D Kearney; A Conway, B Macken, C O'Shea, F Carr; N reid, L McGrath; J McGrath, A Dundon, M Moore; D Browne, M Flanagan; R Ruddock, D Ryan, L Auva'a.
Replacements:T Sexton, J O'Connell, J Coughlan, J Murphy, M Healy, C Marsh, A Boyle.
Munster A:S Scanlon Cork Con); L O'Dea (Shannon), AN Other, JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohs), I Dineen (Cork Con), S Deasy (Cork Con), AN Other; D Kilcoyne (UL Bohs), S Henry (UL Bohs), J Ryan (Cork Con); B Hayes (Cork Con), I Nagle (Cork Con); AN Other, B O'Mahony (Clontarf), P Butler (Shannon).
Replacements:D Fogarty (Cork Con), P Borlase, P Donnellan (Cork Con), B O'Hara (Cork Con), D Cusack (Garryowen), C Sheridan (UL Bohs), R O'Mahony (Garryowen),
