BRITISH AND IRISH CUP FINAL Leinster A v Leeds Carnegie Donnybrook, 7pm, Live Setanta Ireland
Considering Leinster need several of their A team to make the leap into the senior side over the next 12 months, it’s worth dropping in to Donnybrook this evening.
“I suppose you’ve got to look at last year, we were playing with Jordi [Murphy] and Marty [Moore],” said Luke McGrath.
“They were both playing in a [British and Irish] cup final last year and now they’ve both been capped by Ireland and won the [Six Nations] championship.
“That gives everyone confidence playing with them and knowing this is a stepping stone towards hopefully bigger and better things.”
McGrath, at 21, is as good an example as any, playing eight times in the Pro 12 this season and becoming trusted cover for Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss, who with a combined age of 67 can’t go on forever.
Darragh Fanning's size has seen him play 13 times on the wing and he was rewarded with a new contract, but Noel Reid is the guy genuinely threatening to make strides next season.
Like McGrath, a graduate of St Michael’s College, Reid could nail down the number 12 jersey next season, especially if Matt O’Connor decides Gordon D’Arcy is the best man to fill the gaping hole at outside centre.
Brendan Macken, starting tonight, might have something to say about that.
Veteran centre The 23-year-old will be tested by Jon Clarke, a veteran centre who caused plenty of damage in the most famous Leinster final of all (the 2011 Heineken Cup decider in Cardiff).
Cathal Marsh has been quietly improving at outhalf but it is up front where Leinster will be asked the most pertinent questions by a Leeds eight led by Gloucester bound Jacob Rowan.
Dominic Ryan’s physicality is unquestioned and if not for a bad run of injuries he might have broken into the Leinster backrow or been head-hunted by a major European club by now.
But, considering it’s a fairly callow pack, his leadership qualities that will come under the microscope tonight.
The hope is that Tadhg Furlong can grow into Mike Ross’s successor at tighthead prop while the crowd might get to see the progress of Ed Byrne, should he replace the departing Jack O’Connell at some stage.
Byrne’s twin brother Bryan, a hooker by trade, is also on the bench.
Back in 2012, the brothers were tearing it up for Clongowes Wood College on this very pitch.
Last chance Leeds just missed out on qualification for the English championship play-offs following their defeat to London Welsh so victory here represents their last chance at a successful season.
“I caught the last 20 minutes of [Leeds Carnegie v London Welsh] and they were pretty unlucky not to come through that,” McGrath added.
“They’ll be hurting but I’ve no doubt they’ll be looking for a good bit of silverware on Friday, so we have a very tough game on our hands.”
They do and while the strength in depth is not what it was 12 months ago, Leinster in the stadium where so many of these players made their bones should have enough about them to retain the trophy.
Tickets for tonight’s match cost €15 and €20.
