Reigning champions Leinster open their defence of the title when they take on Munster today in Donnybrook (2.0). The home side will be hoping to get off to a winning start in their effort to win the series for the fourth successive season.

The Leinster starting line-up includes six players who shared in Leinster's most recent triumph and who then went on to represent Ireland in the International series. They are Brendan Burke (Barnhall), Barry Lynn (Wicklow), Eoin Lynn (Boyne), Frank Lynch (Barnhall), Anthony Nash (Roscrea) and team captain, Longford's Daragh Maguire.

Internationals Tom Tierney, Alan Quinlan and Trevor Brennan all played at this level in their youth.

LEINSTER: B Burke (Barnhall); E O'Toole (Vikings); B Lynn (Wicklow); E Lynn (Boyne); C McGlynn; F Lynch (Barnhall); A Finlay (Suttonians); H Raman (Tullamore); A Nash (Roscrea); K O'Mahoney (Wicklow); N Kilmartin (Mullingar); E Fennessy (Suttonians); P Furlong (Barnhall); N Ronan (Boyne); D Maguire (Longford, Capt); C Duffy (Boyne); B Coffey (Wicklow); J Devereaux (Boyne); N Kerbey (Boyne); A Tallon (Boyne), P Turley (Portarlington).