Rugby

Rónan Kelleher in Leinster team for visit of Southern Kings

Fergus McFadden makes his injury return as Andrew Porter starts in Leinster frontrow

Ronan Kelleher starts for Leinster this Friday night. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Thu Feb 21 2019 - 12:21

Rónan Kelleher will become the 54th Leinster player to pull on a senior jersey this season when he makes his debut at hooker against the Southern Kings in Friday night's Pro14 clash at the RDS (kick-off: 7.55pm – live on eir Sport).

The Lansdowne player only turned 21 last month and is in his second year in the Leinster academy. He is the younger brother of Connacht back Cian Kelleher. Beside Kelleher in the frontrow will be Ed Byrne and Andrew Porter.

Ross Molony captains the side from the second row where he will be partnered by Clontarf’s Mick Kearney.

There are no changes in the back row from last weekend’s bonus point win away to Zebre with Josh Murphy, Max Deegan and Caelan Doris named once again.

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Barry Daly moves from the left wing to fullback this week with Fergus McFadden making a welcome return from a hamstring injury on the right wing. McFadden hasn’t played since the Munster match in October last year. James Lowe also comes into the side in the number 11 jersey.

In the centre Noel Reid comes in to start at inside centre with Conor O’Brien moving out one slot to number 13.

Finally in the half backs, Hugh O’Sullivan starts at scrumhalf with Ross Byrne at 10.

On the bench, Jack Dunne who made his Leinster debut last weekend is in line to play his first ever game at the RDS should he be introduced.

Leinster: B Daly; F McFadden, C O'Brien, N Reid, J Lowe; R Byrne, H O'Sullivan; E Byrne, R Kelleher, A Porter; R Molony (Capt), M Kearney; J Murphy, M Deegan, C Doris.

Replacements: J Tracy, P Dooley, M Bent, J Dunne, S Fardy, P Patterson, J O’Brien, R O’Loughlin.

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