Leinster and Munster name teams for opening weekend of Celtic Cup

BOTH LEINSTER AND Munster have named youthful teams for the opening games of their respective Celtic Cup campaigns, as the new competition involving Irish provinces and Welsh regions gets underway on Friday evening.  

Doris starts for Leinster ‘A’ tomorrow evening. Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Leinster ‘A’ face Ulster at Malone RFC [KO 5pm] and although their side contains six players with senior experience, including captain Tom Daly, the selection of several academy prospects is an exciting one.

Daly, who missed the majority of last season, partners Conor O’Brien in midfield while Caelan Doris is named at number eight after starting the province’s Pro14 opener at Cardiff Blues last weekend.

Ed Byrne, Ross Molony and Vakh Abdaladze provide the other first-team experience, with highly-rated hooker Ronan Kelleher is given his chance in the front row.

There are several members of the Ireland squad from this summer’s U20 World Championship in Leinster’s XV, including Michael Silvester, second row Jack Dunne, Harry Byrne and Doris. 

Byrne travelled with the senior squad to Cardiff last weekend and starts in a half-back partnership with fellow academy member Paddy Patterson, with Ireland sevens international Hugo Keenan named to start at fullback.

Scott Penny, who was a standout performers in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup for St Michael’s last year, is at openside flanker with another player off the Ailesbury Road production line, Oisín Dowling, at blindside.

On the bench, first year academy recruits David Hawkshaw and Liam Turner — who captained Blackrock College to Senior Cup glory — will be hoping to make a big impact when given their opportunity. 

Munster ‘A’ head coach Peter Malone as included 10 academy players in his side for the province’s opening Celtic Cup tie against Connacht at Musgrave Park [KO 5.30pm].

Munster ‘A’ head coach Peter Malone. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Darren O’Shea captains the side and there is an all-senior back three as Stephen Fitzgerald starts at fullback and Calvin Nash and Alex Wootton are named on either flank.

Alex McHenry had an impressive pre-season and will look to impress in a centre pairing with Matt More, while James Hart provides experience in a half-back partnership with Bill Johnston. 

Academy hooker Diarmuid Barron starts with senior props Jeremy Loughman and Ciaran Parker on either side of the scrum, with O’Shea and academy prospect Sean O’Connor in the engine room.