LEINSTER, the defending champions, include eight players new to the Interprovincial Championship for the opening match of the campaign against Ulster at Ravenhill tomorrow. One of the eight, right wing David Coleman, will be winning his first senior cap for the province.

The other seven have all played at senior level for Leinster but not in the interprovincial series. They are full back Peter McKenna, left wing Denis Hickie, outside half Richard Governey, hooker Mark McDermott, second row Greg Duffy, open side flanker Dean Oswald and number eight Kevin Spicer.

Coleman played for the Leinster A side against Sale last month and was very impressive, but he was unavailable for the subsequent tour to Italy. He has been in prolific try scoring for his club, Terenure College - he scored three tries last week.

His selection and that of Hickie mean that both players emulate their fathers, Eddie Coleman and Tony Hickie, both of whom gave distinguished service to Leinster in the 1960s.

Yet again the Leinster selectors have preferred Alain Rolland at scrum half to Ireland captain Niall Hogan, while Mark McDermott gains preference at hooker over Ireland squad member Shane Byrne. Henry Hurley held off the challenge of Paul Flavin at loose head prop.

Centre Vincent Cunningham, who won his 50th cap for Leinster against the Irish side last Sunday and is second only to Philip Orr in the list of cap winners, has been omitted with Martin Ridge coming in at centre to partner Kurt McQuilkin.

Oswald, a New Zealander, played for Leinster in the European Cup last season but was injured and ruled out of the interprovincials.

The team shows three changes and a positional alteration from the side that lost narrowly to the Irish XV on Sunday. Ridge replaces Cunningham, Hickie switches to the left wing to make way for Coleman on the right, with international Darragh O'Mahony being omitted.

In the pack, Steve Jameson, who had to withdraw last weekend because of injury, returns in the second row for Neil Francis, who was not considered last night because of a leg injury. Colin McEntee, Alan McGowan, Russell Southam and Ciaran Clarke were others not considered.

A remarkable aspect of the side is that only five of the team that played against Ulster last season, when Leinster clinched the title, will line out tomorrow. They are McQuilkin, Rolland, Hurley, Jameson and the captain, Chris Pim.

The Munster selectors last night had to make two changes in the team to meet to meet Connacht at Temple Hill tomorrow. Full back Dominic Crotty (knee injury) and outside half Killian Keane (eye) are both out of the side. Keane's place will be taken by Aidan O'Halloran (Young Munster), while the full back berth will be filled by Sean McCahill, who moves from the wing. Andrew Thompson (Shannon) takes over the wing position.

Pat Murray (Shannon) and Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution) come into the replacements for O'Halloran and Thompson.

. England's selectors have postponed the announcement of the international training squad from today to Monday. The squad are scheduled to train at Bisham Abbey on Wednesday, but it is believed the Rugby Football Union want to avoid the embarrassment of a hat trick of postponed sessions.

By Monday they will be clearer about the prospect of the players actually turning up.