Rugby

Dave Kearney returns to Leinster team for Edinburgh visit

Nick McCarthy gets his first start since returning from Munster in the summer

Leinster have named Dave Kearney in their team to take on Edinburgh this weekend. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

Thu Feb 10 2022 - 12:57

Dave Kearney will make his first appearance of the season for Leinster when they take on Edinburgh at the RDS on Friday evening (kick-off 6pm - Live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports).

Head coach Leo Cullen has named Kearney on the left wing, the Louth native will make his 170th appearance. He’s joined in the back three by fullback Jamie Osborne and Tommy O’Brien.

Nick McCarthy gets his first start since returning from Munster in the summer and will partner Ross Byrne in the halfbacks.

Sitting outside them in midfield are Ciarán Frawley and Rory O’Loughlin.

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Cullen has switched up half of his pack with four changes from those who started the loss to Cardiff last time out. James Tracy replaces Seán Cronin in the frontrow with Ed Byrne and Michael Ala’alatoa retaining their spots either side of him.

Ross Molony and Josh Murphy come into the secondrow while Max Deegan is the sole change in the backrow.

Deegan will wear the No 8 shirt with Scott Penny swapping to the openside. Rhys Ruddock fills the last spot in the XV and will captain the side.

Leinster: Jamie Osborne, Tommy O'Brien, Rory O'Loughlin, Ciarán Frawley, Dave Kearney; Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy; Ed Byrne, James Tracy, Michael Ala'alatoa; Ross Molony, Josh Murphy; Rhys Ruddock (Capt), Scott Penny, Max Deegan.

Replacements: Seán Cronin, Peter Dooley, Vakh Abdaladze, Devin Toner, Martin Moloney, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Rob Russell.

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