Ross Byrne has recovered from an arm injury to start at out-half for Leinster’s URC fixture with Benetton tomorrow.
Academy full-back Henry McErlean will make his Leinster debut. McErlean was part of the Ireland team that won last year’s Under-20 Six Nations.
Tommy O’Brien and Rob Russell are named on the wings. Whereas, Liam Turner and a returning Jamie Osborne partnering each other in the centre.
For the first time this season, Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath partner each other in the half-backs. The duo have over a combined 350 Leinster caps.
In the pack, Jack Boyle and Thomas Clarkson pack down either side of Lee Barron in the front row. Ross Molony and Jason Jenkins are named in the second row.
Captain Scott Penny is joined in the back row by Will Connors and Max Deegan.
In the replacements, John McKee returns for the first time since sustaining an injury in the season opener against Glasgow Warriors, while Ben Brownlee is in line for his first appearance of the season.
Leinster: 15. Henry McErlean, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Liam Turner, 12. Jamie Osborne, 11. Rob Russell, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Luke McGrath; 1. Jack Boyle, 2. Lee Barron, 3. Thomas Clarkson, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Jason Jenkins, 6. Will Connors, 7. Scott Penny (C), 8. Max Deegan
Replacements: 16. John McKee, 17. Ed Byrne, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Brian Deeny, 20. Rhys Ruddock, 21. Ben Murphy, 22. Sam Prendergast, 23. Ben Brownlee
Leinster v Benetton
RDS Arena
Saturday February 17, Kick-Off: 3pm
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
