Leinster coach Leo Cullen has named seven internationals in a 32-man squad for the province's opening pre-season game against Ulster at Navan RFC on Saturday (3.0pm).
Cullen has made full use of academy and sub-academy players alongside the likes of Josh van der Flier, Mike McCarthy and Fergus McFadden.
Niall Morris is in line to make his first appearance back in Leinster colours after his time at Leicester, while former Munster lock Ian Nagle is included among the forwards.
Commenting on the game, Cullen said: “Saturday can’t come soon enough for the players. They are very much looking forward to visiting Navan and playing in front of the home support. Pulling on the Leinster jersey for the first time this season after a tough pre-season schedule is something they are all excited by.
“For some players like Mike McCarthy, Josh van der Flier and Fergus McFadden it will be a great opportunity to reintegrate back in to the team after missing out on the tail-end of last season. Ian Nagle and Niall Morris the same – two new players into the squad and they are just keen to get up and running and to get used to their new teammates in a match situation.
"But I think the supporters that come to Navan should also be excited to see the next group of Leinster players possibly for the first time. The likes of Andrew Porter and Vakh Abdaladze who starred at the recent Under-20s World Championships with Ireland, former Ireland Under-20s captain Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Ireland Sevens captain Tom Daly. This is a great opportunity for those players to test themselves in a competitive environment and to show us all what they are capable of.
“It’s been a great pre-season so far but we know what’s around the corner and these three games against Ulster, Gloucester and Bath are the perfect test ahead of the start of the Guinness PRO12 on the 2nd September.”
LEINSTER (Squad to play Ulster, Navan RFC, Saturday, 3.0pm) – Backs (15): Adam Byrne, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Barry Daly, Tom Daly, Billy Dardis, Ian Fitzpatrick, Zane Kirchner, Cathal Marsh, Nick McCarthy, Fergus McFadden, Luke McGrath, Niall Morris, Rory O'Loughlin, Charlie Rock.
Forwards (17): Vakh Abdaladze, Michael Bent, Bryan Byrne, Jack Conan, Peter Dooley, Dan Leavy, Mike McCarthy, Sean McNulty, Ross Molony, Josh Murphy, Ian Nagle, Andrew Porter, Dominic Ryan, Peadar Timmins, James Tracy, Hayden Triggs, Josh van der Flier.
