Wallaby international Joe Tomane will make his Leinster debut on Friday when the European champions kick-off their pre-season against Montauban in the south of France.
Tomane signed for the province in June and will line up at inside centre for his first start with Rory O’Loughlin set to partner him in the Leinster midfield.
Newly appointed vice-captain Rhys Ruddock will lead the side from openside flanker with Josh Murphy and Max Deegan joining him in the backrow while in the backs James Lowe will be trialed at full-back with Barry Daly and Adam Byrne filling out the wings in an exciting back three.
Leinster coach Leo Cullen said that he will be bringing 28 players to France and that the Montauban game will be a good chance for those selected to put down an early marker ahead of a title defending campaign.
“The majority of the group that are playing this weekend came back in the middle of June,” Cullen told the club’s YouTube channel.
“They did a three-week block at that stage, had another break and came back, so they’ve done a fair amount. It’ll be nice to put into practice some of the things we’ve worked on over the course of pre-season.
“We have 28 players that are going to travel to France. It’s a good opportunity for these lads to put their hand up nice and early in the season.”
Leinster Rugby team to play Montauban
15. James Lowe
14. Adam Byrne
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Joe Tomane
11. Barry Daly
10. Noel Reid
9. Nick McCarthy
1. Peter Dooley
2. Bryan Byrne
3. Michael Bent
4. Ross Molony
5. Ian Nagle
6. Josh Murphy
7. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
8. Max Deegan
16. James Tracy
17. Ed Byrne
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Mick Kearney
20. Will Connors
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Jimmy O’Brien
23. Dave Kearney
24. Oisín Dowling
25. Conor O’Brien
26. Tom Daly
27. Jack Kelly
28. Gavin Mullin
