Mick Kearney to pick up second Leinster cap against Zebre

Garry Ringrose starts in midfield with Ben Te’o while Mils Muliaina starts for Italians

Mick Kearney starts for Leinster against Zebre. Photograph: Inpho
Mick Kearney starts for Leinster against Zebre. Photograph: Inpho

With the core of his squad away on international duty Leo Cullen has named a relatively inexperienced side for Sunday's trip to play Zebre.

With Connacht playing on Saturday evening, Leinster may go into the game knowing a win would move them top of the Pro 12 table.

In the secondrow Mick Kearney is set to make just his second appearance for the province, while Dominic Ryan returns to the backrow alongside Jack Conan.

Garry Ringrose starts alongside ben Te'o in a strong midfield partnership, while captain Isa Nacewa, Adam Byrne and Zane Kirchner back up the back three.

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Meanwhile former Connacht and All Blacks back Mils Muliaina starts at fullback for Zebre.

LEINSTER: Zane Kirchner; Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Isa Nacewa; Cathal Marsh, Luke McGrath; Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, Mick Kearney; Dominic Ryan, Dan Leavy, Jordi Murphy. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Bent, Hayden Triggs, Peader Timmons, Nick McCarthy, Noel Reid, Cian Kelleher

ZEBRE: Mils Muliaina; Giulio Toniolatti, Tommaso Boni, Matteo Pratichetti, Kayle Van Zyl; Ian McKinley, Fabio Semenzato; Johan Meyer; Federico Ruzza, Jacopo Sarto; Marco Bortolami, Quintin Geldenhuys; Guillermo Roan, Oliviero Fabiani, Bruno Postiglioni. Replacements: Gabriele Morelli, Andrea De Marchi, Pietro Ceccarelli, Gideon Koegelenberg, Emiliano Caffini, Luke Burgess, Maicol Azzolini, Ulrich Beyers.