Kilkenny man Tim Corkery is primed to make his Leinster senior debut on Friday night.
The Bennettsbridge man has been named on the bench for the province to face Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in the Guinness PRO14 (KO 5.45 pm).
He’s well known around these parts having played with Kilkenny rugby club and went to school in St. Kieran’s College.
Tim has also played with the South East Area in the Shane Horgan Cup before progressing to Leinster representative honours.
He has three Ireland U-20 caps to his name and currently is playing his club rugby with UCD.
Luke McGrath will once again captain the side, while Alex Soroka starts a game in the Guinness PRO14 for the first time after his debut off the bench against Glasgow Warriors.
Seán O’Brien is also in line for his debut if introduced off the bench.
Academy player Max O’Reilly starts at full-back, with Cian Kelleher making his 25th appearance on the right-wing and Dave Kearney selected on the left.
In the centre, Cullen has selected Rory O’Loughlin and Jimmy O’Brien as his pairing for the second week in a row.
Captain McGrath is partnered at half-back by Harry Byrne for the trip to Italy.
In the pack, Peter Dooley, Dan Sheehan, and Academy prop Thomas Clarkson start in the front row, with Ross Molony and Jack Dunne in the second row. It will be Dunne’s first start of the season.
In the back row, Josh Murphy starts at blindside, with last week’s Guinness Player of the Match Scott Penny at openside and Soroka wearing No 8.
Devin Toner continues to edge ever closer to Gordon D’Arcy’s all-time record Leinster Rugby appearance total of 261.
Leinster Rugby
15. Max O’Reilly (5)
14. Cian Kelleher (24)
13. Jimmy O’Brien (31)
12. Rory O’Loughlin (77)
11. Dave Kearney (162)
10. Harry Byrne (20)
9. Luke McGrath (143) CAPTAIN
1. Peter Dooley (88)
2. Dan Sheehan (8)
3. Thomas Clarkson (8)
4. Ross Molony (109)
5. Jack Dunne (13)
6. Josh Murphy (43)
7. Scott Penny (23)
8. Alex Soroka (1)
16. James Tracy (123)
17. Marcus Hanan (1)
18. Michael Bent (153)
19. Devin Toner (259)
20. Seán O’Brien (0)
21. Hugh O’Sullivan (26)
22. Tim Corkery (0)
23. Jamie Osborne (4)
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
