Rugby:Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has announced a young 28 man squad for Friday night's game against the Super 15 side the Melbourne Rebels in Donnybrook (7.0). Denied his international contingent the New Zealander will be able – as will the public – to appraise both the up and coming talent in the province and also several summer signings.
Eoin O’Malley (ankle) is progressing well following surgery earlier this summer but this week’s game is likely to come too soon for him, a state of affairs that will also apply to Shane Horgan (knee) and prop Simon Shawe (qyuad tear).
Academy centre Eamonn Sheridan has recovered from a fractured ankle and may feature in a backline that includes new summer signing, the former Canterbury Crusaders outhalf Matt Berquist. He is joined Fionn Carr, who returns to the province after a stint at Connacht, and some outstanding former Under 20 internationals in Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken, Andrew Boyle and John Cooney to name but four.
David Kearney put in some excellent performances last season demonstrating how he has matured as a player and delivering on obvious potential. Ian Madigan also acquitted himself well and will look to develop further. Cillian Willis, another Leinster old boy, is included having spent time at Ulster and Connacht.
Up front, Balbriggan’s Jamie Hagan returns from Connacht, do too does former Ireland Under 21 captain Dave Gannon, via New Zealand and the Exeter Chiefs. South African secondrow signing Steven Sykes is named, so too newly acquired ex Ireland A international, Damien Browne. The team will be named tomorrow lunch-time.
Tickets are available from €10 for adults and €5 for children, while stand tickets cost €20. They are available online from www.leinsterrugby.ie , from Spar Donnybrook, and from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
Leinster squad:Matt Berquist, Andrew Boyle, Fionn Carr, Andrew Conway, John Cooney, Darren Hudson, David Kearney, Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Colm O'Shea, Eamonn Sheridan, Cillian Willis, Leo Auva'a, Aaron Dundon, Mark Flanagan, David Gannon, Jamie Hagan, Jason Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Ben Marshall, Jack O'Connell, Ciaran Ruddock, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Steven Sykes, Devin Toner, Heinke van der Merwe.
