Leinster team named for BKT URC opener against Glasgow Warriors

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to take on Glasgow Warriors in the opening round of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Sunday afternoon in Scotstoun Stadium has been named by Head Coach Leo Cullen (KO: 4pm Irish time, live on RTÉ2 and Premier Sports 1).

Scott Penny (pictured below) captains the team for the first time in a competitive fixture, after leading the side in two of Leinster’s pre-season matches.

Ciarán Frawley starts at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour on the wings. Liam Turner and Charlie Ngatai are in the centre, with Harry Byrne and Luke McGrath completing the back line.

In the pack, Jack Boyle starts a competitive game for the first time. He is joined in the front row by John McKee and Thomas Clarkson. Ross Molony and Jason Jenkins are in the heart of the pack with Max Deegan, Penny and James Culhane in the back row.

Among the replacements, Academy props Paddy McCarthy and Rory McGuire (pictured above) are in line to make their Leinster debuts, while Rhys Ruddock provides over 220 caps of experience off the bench.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets): 15. Ciarán Frawley (67) 14. Tommy O’Brien (30) 13. Liam Turner (20) 12. Charlie Ngatai (15) 11. Jordan Larmour (89) 10. Harry Byrne (51) 9. Luke McGrath (196) 1. Jack Boyle (2) 2. John McKee (20) 3. Thomas Clarkson (27) 4. Ross Molony (162) 5. Jason Jenkins (19) 6. Max Deegan (98) 7. Scott Penny (56) CAPTAIN 8. James Culhane (3)

Replacements: 16. Lee Barron (7) 17. Paddy McCarthy (0) 18. Rory McGuire (0) 19. Brian Deeny (13) 20. Rhys Ruddock (221) 21.  Cormac Foley (11) 22. Sam Prendergast (2) 23. Will Connors (36)

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)