Magners League: Ireland internationals Leo Cullen, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Trevor Hogan and Shane Horgan have all been included in the Leinster squad ahead of the trip to the Scottish capital to take on Edinburgh on Friday night.
Coach Michael Cheika has opted for a mixture of youth and experience as a number of academy players like Fergus McFadden and Paul O’Donohoe have also been included after impressing for Leinster ‘A’
Isa Nacewa and Ollie Le Roux supplement the panel for Leinster’s second away trip in five days.
Leinster defence coach Kurt McQuilkin said they are determined to get back to winning ways in the Magners League and build on last weekend’s bruising win over Harlequins at the Stoop.
“Last Sunday was an outstanding effort by the team,” he said. “I thought that the performance embodied all that is good about Leinster - pride, passion and a real commitment to the cause.
“The manner in which the players have put their bodies on the line repeatedly over the course of the season means that we are in a strong position to go up another level, which we need to do over the next few games, starting on Friday.
“Edinburgh are a side we rate highly. They are a side that like to attack you up front as well as out wide. They have a number of top internationals and in Mike Blair they have an outstanding performer.
“Hugo Southwell, Chris Paterson and Nick de Luca are two more international class backs while up front they have quality forwards like Allister Hogg and Ross Ford. Their coach Andy Robinson has done a very good job and Edinburgh are an effective team all over the park.
“We know how tough the task will be on Friday, but there has been a real buzz around training this week. It’s a short five-day turnaround so management of players will be an important factor.
“We have to get our tackles in and be ruthless around the fringes. We have to be rigid in our defence and clinical in attack and take any opportunities that come our way. We’re very focused on the job that’s facing us this week.”
Kick-off at Murrayfield on Friday is 7.45pm.
Leinster squad (v Edinburgh)
Forwards: Ollie le Roux, Ronan McCormack, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Jason Harris-Wright, Jamie Hagan, Stephen Knoop, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Cameron Jowitt, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin
Backs: Chris Keane, Paul O'Donohoe, Isa Nacewa, Ian McKinley, Simon Keogh, Gordon D'Arcy, Eamonn Sheridan, Kyle Tonetti, Fergus McFadden, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Niall Morris
