Max Deegan to captain Leinster for Cardiff clash

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Cardiff Rugby in Round 12 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday (KO: 7pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1) has been named by Head Coach, Leo Cullen.

There are six changes to the starting XV from last month’s bonus-point win over Edinburgh Rugby, with Max Deegan captaining the side on his 150th appearance for the province as the URC celebrates Origin Round.

Scott Penny, earning his 99th Leinster cap, and James Culhane join Deegan in the back row, with Academy second row Alan Spicer partnering Brian Deeny in the engine room.

Jerry Cahir and Andrew Sparrow pack down either side of John McKee in an unchanged front row.

Jimmy O’Brien starts at full-back alongside Joshua Kenny and Ruben Moloney on the wings, while Robbie Henshaw partners Rieko Ioane in the centre.

Harry Byrne starts at out-half, with Fintan Gunne his partner in the half-backs.

Rabah Slimani returns to the matchday 23 for the first time since before Christmas, with Gus McCarthy and Alex Usanov also offering front row cover as RG Snyman and Josh Ericson complete the forward replacements. Luke McGrath, Charlie Tector and Andrew Osborne round out the matchday squad.

Leinster Rugby (school / club in brackets)(caps in brackets):

15. Jimmy O’Brien (Newbridge College / Naas RFC) (110)
14. Joshua Kenny (Presentation College Bray / Greystones RFC) (9)
13. Rieko Ioane (Auckland Grammar School / Ponsonby Rugby Club) (7)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Marist College / Buccaneers RFC) (112)
11. Ruben Moloney (Blackrock College / Blackrock College RFC) (4)
10. Harry Byrne (St Michael’s College / Old Belvedere RFC) (83)
9. Fintan Gunne (St Michael’s College / Old Belvedere RFC) (26)

1. Jerry Cahir (Cistercian College Roscrea / Lansdowne FC) (7)
2. John McKee (Campbell College / Ards RFC & Terenure College RFC) (41)
3. Andrew Sparrow (St Mary’s College / St Mary’s College RFC) (4)
4. Alan Spicer (Belvedere College / Malahide RFC) (1)
5. Brian Deeny (St Peter’s College / Wexford Wanderers RFC) (46)
6. Max Deegan (St Michael’s College / Wanderers FC) (149) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (St Michael’s College / UCD RFC) (98)
8. James Culhane (Blackrock College / De La Salle Palmerston FC) (22)

Replacements:
16. Gus McCarthy (Blackrock College / Old Belvedere RFC) (23)
17. Alex Usanov (Belvedere College / Malahide RFC) (2)
18. Rabah Slimani (AAS Sarcelles) (29)
19. RG Snyman (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool) (29)
20. Josh Ericson (Skerries Community College / Skerries RFC) (2)
21. Luke McGrath (St Michael’s College / Old Belvedere RFC) (247)
22. Charlie Tector (Kilkenny College / Enniscorthy RFC) (25)
23. Andrew Osborne (Naas CBS / Naas RFC) (18)

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU).