Reddan named on the bench for Leinster

Eoin Reddan has been released back to Leinster by the Ireland management for Sunday's Rabo Pro12 league match against Treviso.

The Ireland scrumhalf started last weekend's international against Australia but has been deemed surplus to requirements on this occasion by coach Joe Schmidt.

Reddan has been named among the Leinster replacements for the match in Italy with John Cooney starting at number nine.

Shane Jennings will captain the side while Lote Tuqiri will add some inexperience to an otherwise callow back three with Darragh Fanning and Darren Hudson both starting.

Elsewhere, Connacht youngster Eoghan Masterson will make his first appearance for the province when they take on the Scarlets at the Sportsground tomorrow evening.

"Eoghan Masterson arrived here during the summer on trial with the Academy and since then, the coaching staff have been so impressed with his professionalism both on and off the field," Connacht coach Pat Lam explained this morning.

“He has worked hard on his game and has truly earned his opportunity and first senior Rabo game. I believe game time at this level is an essential part of a young player’s development once they do the hard work and it’s great to see players like Eoghan, Darragh (Leader), Jake (Heenan), Craig (Ronaldson) and Matt (Healy) all following in the footsteps of Robbie (Henshaw) and Kieran (Marmion).”

Leinster (v Benetton Treviso, Sunday 2pm): Darren Hudson, Lote Tuqiri, Brendan Macken, Noel Reid, Darragh Fanning; Jimmy Gopperth, John Cooney; Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon, Martin Moore; Tom Denton, Quinn Roux; Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings (captain), Leo Auva’a. Replacements: James Tracy, Jack O’Connell, Tadhg Furlong, Ben Marshall, Dominic Ryan, Eoin Reddan, Cathal Marsh, Collie O’Shea.

Connacht (v Scarlets, Saturday 5pm): Gavin Duffy; Darragh Leader, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy; Craig Ronaldson, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Henry, Nathan White; Michael Swift, Craig Clarke (captain); Aly Muldowney, Jake Heenan, Eoghan Masterson. Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Mick Kearney, George Naoupu, Frank Murphy, Dan Parks, Fionn Carr.