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.
Leinster player ratings: Leinster delivered an impressive performance in front of the 18,000 or so fans packed in the Aviva, showcasing flashes of brilliance in attack while keeping the Lions’ threats at bay for most of the game.
Olympian Zac Ward is set to start on the wing for Emerging Ireland on Wednesday against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
Emerging Ireland have been dealt another injury blow with Connacht prop Jordan Duggan being replaced by Leinster's Alex Usanov the day before the squad embark for South Africa.
Leinster flanker James Culhane has been passed fit to team up with Emerging Ireland for their three-match tour in South Africa next month.
They also confirmed that skipper Evan O’Connell, the nephew of Paul O'Connell who last took the field in the July 4 pool win over Georgia, has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament through injury.
The Irish looked set to be beaten as they had surrendered an early 12-0 lead and were trailing 15-16 and were fortunate not to be 15-22 behind as the Eastern Europeans missed a pair of kickable penalties when tensing up coming down the finishing straight.