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Four Ireland players in Leinster 'A' squad for Connacht Eagles
By Ian Cameron
Leinster Rugby has named its ‘A’ squad to face Connacht Eagles in the first round of the IRFU ‘A’ Interpro Championship at Creggs RFC on Saturday.
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With no senior fixtures for two weeks, these ‘A’ matches provide some much-needed game time for Leinster’s extended squad. Academy Manager Simon Broughton has selected a mix of senior and emerging talent, led by captain James Culhane.
Four Ireland internationals are included in the 25-man panel, with Will Connors and Harry Byrne starting; and Ross Byrne and Max Deegan feature on the bench. None of the four were selected for Ireland’s wider Autumn Nations Series squad, with the 23-times capped Ross Byrne by some way the most experienced of the quartet in terms of Test rugby.
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Ireland back-row Connors and Harry Byrne bring valuable experience to the starting lineup, while Ross Byrne and Deegan add significant depth from the bench. The team also sees URC try-scorers Aitzol King and Andrew Osborne in the backline.
Ben Brownlee and Liam Turner will start in the centre together, with Fintan Gunne at scrumhalf.
John McKee returns from injury in the front row alongside Michael Milne and Rory McGuire.
Brian Deeny and Conor O’Tighearnaigh are selected in the second row, with Diarmuid Mangan, Connors and Culhane completing the pack.
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Twenty-year-old Ruben Moloney starts at the fullback.
The game kicks off at 1 pm and will be streamed by Connacht Rugby.
LEINSTER A:
15. Ruben Moloney
14. Aitzol King
13. Liam Turner
12. Ben Brownlee
11. Andrew Osborne
10. Harry Byrne
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Michael Milne
2. John McKee
3. Rory McGuire
4. Brian Deeny
5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh
6. Diarmuid Mangan
7. Will Connors
8. James Culhane (CAPTAIN)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Stephen Smyth
17. Alex Usanov
18. Niall Smyth
19. Max Deegan
20. Liam Molony
21. Cormac Foley
22. Ross Byrne
23. Caspar Gabriel
24. Conor Fahy
25. Ciarán Mangan
