It’s a busy weekend for Leinster rugby fans.
The Leinster ‘A’ team to face Bristol Rugby at Donnybrook Stadium on Friday in the British & Irish Cup has been announced with Carlow native Bryan Byrne captaining this side from a front row that includes his brother Ed and alongside Michael Bent. Kick off is set for 7.30pm.
Ross Molony comes in to start in the second row with Ian Nagle.
Josh Murphy moves from the second row to blindside flanker. Peadar Timmins moves to number 8 and Will Connors is retained at openside flanker.
There are just two changes in the back line from last Friday’s bonus point win away to the English Championship leaders. Nick McCarthy comes in to start at scrum-half in place of Charlie Rock, who moves to the bench.
The other changes sees Hugo Keenan start on the right in a straight swap with Jack Kelly.
The ‘A’ team currently top Pool 2 with 15 points from three games, with Doncaster on 10 and Bristol on six.
Speaking ahead of the game, Leinster ‘A’ Head Coach Noel McNamara reflected on last week’s win:
“I think that was a bonus for us to get the five points [at Ashton Gate]. We knew the challenge we faced going over there and that’s exactly what we were confronted with. We were disappointed, obviously, to concede 35 points, but equally we were very pleased to come out on the right side of the result.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s match at Donnybrook, McNamara was quick to recall last season’s back-to-back games against Scarlets Premiership Select.
“We’re under no illusions. We don’t have to cast our minds back too far to last year when we had a commanding victory over Scarlets and then the following week we came out on the wrong side of the result. We’re certainly not taking anything for granted. The boys have worked hard in the early part of the week. We’re looking forward to the challenge that Bristol will bring. We have absolutely no doubt that they’re going to throw everything at us.”
Supporters attending Leinster ‘A’ v Bristol can pay at the gate at Donnybrook Stadium on Friday night, starting from €10 for adults and €5 for under-18s. Season Ticket holders can gain entry by presenting their Season Ticket card at the gate.
Leinster ‘A’ team to face Bristol
15. Ciarán Frawley
14. Hugo Keenan
13. Gavin Mullin
12. Conor O’Brien
11. Tommy O’Brien
10. Cathal Marsh
9. Nick McCarthy
1. Ed Byrne
2. Bryan Byrne CAPTAIN
3. Michael Bent
4. Ross Molony
5. Ian Nagle
6. Josh Murphy
7. Will Connors
8. Peadar Timmins
Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Peter Dooley
18. Jack Aungier
19. Óisín Dowling
20. Caelan Doris
21. Charlie Rock
22. Jack Kelly