The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Cardiff Rugby in Round 12 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday afternoon at Aviva Stadium (KO: 3pm, live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 2) has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen.
There are five personnel changes to the starting XV from the win over Ospreys two weeks ago and two players are in line for their Leinster debuts off the bench.
Luke McGrath captains the side from scrum-half with Ross Byrne taking the number ten shirt. Charlie Tector and Hugh Cooney renew their centre partnership once more after starting in midfield against Ospreys two weeks ago.
Jimmy O'Brien shifts from wing to full-back, with Tommy O'Brien taking the number 14 shirt once more, while Andrew Osborne is promoted from the bench to start on the left wing.
Jack Boyle returns to the Leinster team after making his Irish debut against Wales last week and is joined in the front row by John McKee and Rabah Slimani.
Diarmuid Mangan partners Brian Deeny in the second row once more, with Will Connors, Max Deegan and Alex Soroka filling out the back row.
Ivan Soroka, Alex's brother, and Oliver Coffey both have the chance to earn their first Leinster caps this week if they are sprung from the replacements.
First year Academy hooker Stephen Smyth and Rory McGuire provide the rest of the front row cover while RG Snyman and Scott Penny fill out the remainder of the forwards replacements.
Rob Russell returns from injury to take his place in a Leinster matchday 23 for the first time since the opening game of the season and he is joined on the bench by Liam Turner.
Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):15. Jimmy O’Brien (92)
14. Tommy O’Brien (38)
13. Hugh Cooney (3)
12. Charlie Tector (15)
11. Andrew Osborne (8)
10. Ross Byrne (177)
9. Luke McGrath (224)
CAPTAIN
1. Jack Boyle (18)
2. John McKee (31)
3. Rabah Slimani (13)
4. Diarmuid Mangan (7)
5. Brian Deeny (32)
6. Alex Soroka (12)
7. Will Connors (53)
8. Max Deegan (125)
Replacements:16. Stephen Smyth (2)
17. Ivan Soroka (0)
18. Rory McGuire (6)
19. RG Snyman (12)
20. Scott Penny (79)
21. Oliver Coffey (0)
22. Liam Turner (35)
23. Rob Russell (33)
