Rugby team news:Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has opted for a blend of youth and experience for tomorrow's Rabo Pro12 curtain-raiser against the Scarlets in Llanelli. Last year's beaten finalists will have plenty of know-how up front, where Shane Jennings captains the side.
But the Leinster midfield will see Noel Reid continue his fledgling partnership with Brendan Macken while the replacements bench includes six products from the academy, with Tom Denton set to make his competitive debut if called upon.
Isaac Boss, who skippered the side in last weekend’s 10-all draw away to Sale Sharks, partners Ian Madigan at half back. Madigan, still only 23, will make his 50th appearance after featuring 26 times last term.
Connacht’s Eric Elwood, meanwhile, has named his side to take on Cardiff at the Sportsground with scrum-half Kieran Marmion making his debut for the province.
Leinster(v Llanelli): I Nacewa; A Conway, B Macken, N Reid, F Carr; I Madigan, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, J Hagan; D Browne, D Toner; D Ryan, S Jennings , L Auva'a. Replacements:A Dundon, J McGrath, M Moore, T Denton, J Murphy, J Cooney, C O'Shea, D Hudson.
Connacht(v Cardiff): G Duffy; T O'Halloran, E Griffin, M Fifita, F Vainikolo; M Nikora, K Marmion; D Buckley, E Reynecke, R Loughney; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, J O'Connor, G Naoupu. Replacements:A Flavin, R Ah You, F Bealham, D Gannon, W Faloon, D Moore, M Jarvis, R Henshaw
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IMNWKIX5DFFCFE5CD5NLBU6EVY.png)