Hugh Cooney is poised to make his starting debut for Leinster, teamed up with Robbie Henshaw who has just recovered from an injury. Leinster displays a powerful line-up to face the Lions at Aviva Stadium this Saturday, with live broadcasting on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 2 from 5.15pm onwards.
Last week, Cooney made his first appearance coming off the bench in the victorious game against Connacht. He now completes the starting XV alongside fellow academy graduates Andrew Osborne and Gus McCarthy.
Following his recovery, Henshaw is set to play his first game of the season. This is one of the ten alterations made to the first-string line-up ever since their match in Galway.
Newly back from a triumphant stint with Emerging Ireland in South Africa, Sam Prendergast has earned a starting role as fly-half, teaming up with scrum-half Luke McGrath. Hugo Keenan returns as fullback while James Lowe bounces back to the starting team, with Osborne accompanying on the wing.
McCarthy starts in the front row with Mizhael Milne and Rabah Slimani, while player of the match RG Snyman partners Ryan Baird making his seasonal debut. Autumn internationals skipper Caelan Doris heads the team from the eighth position, with flankers Max Deegan and Josh van der Flier offering reinforcements.
Maintaining a spot in the squad is newcomer Stephen Smyth, the first-year academy hooker, who again finds his place among the replacements. He receives backing from seasoned prop partners Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson with Brian Deeny and James Culhane finishing off the forward cover.
Emerging Ireland returnee Charlie Tector is set for his first appearance, while through this season Ross Byrne continues his streak of being involved in every game, if he enters the field. Meanwhile, Cormac Foley could potentially make his first competitive appearance this season, following his pre-season friendly against Bordeaux-Begles, if he is summoned from the bench tomorrow.
In the LEINSTER squad, Hugo Keanan will star, alongside Andrew Osborne and Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, and James Lowe. The team further includes Sam Prendergast and Luke McGrath whilst Michael Milne, Gus McCarthy and Rabah Slimani support. Playing in the match as well are RG Snyman, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, and the captain, Caelan Doris.
As for the substitutes, the roster is composed of players like Stephen Smyth, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, Cormac Foley, Ross Byrne, and Charlie Tector.
The referee for this match will be Craig Evans from the Welsh Rugby Union.