Rugby:Leinster have confirmed that a number of young players who made their mark in three pre-season friendly matches will come into contention for the opening RaboDirect Pro 12 League game against the Scarlets in Llanelli this weekend.

The province’s 11 internationals are not available to coach Joe Schmidt for the first couple of rounds in the league and this coupled with a further seven players on the injured list – Mark Flanagan, Luke Fitzgerald, Sean O’Brien, Conor Gilsenan, Eoin O’Malley, Rhys Ruddock and David Kearney – means that young players will get a chance.

South African signing Quinn Roux will come into contention for a place in the match squad and could make his debut for the province. The team will be announced on Friday.