Smyth to lead Leinster 'A'
Stephen Smyth captains Leinster 'A' against Connacth Eagles Photo: ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart
Carlow’s Stephen Smyth will captain the Leinster Rugby ‘A’ team against Connacht Eagles in the IRFU Interprovincial ‘A’ Championship tomorrow at Dexcom Stadium (KO: 2pm and entry is free).
The academy hooker has been picked by Head Coach Simon Broughton to lead a team that calls on a mix of senior, Academy and pre-Academy players for Friday night's clash.
Alex Usanov and Niall Smyth will scrum down either side of Stephen Smyth, with Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Academy forward Billy Corrigan packing down behind in the second row.
Alex Soroka and James Culhane are joined in the back row by Academy flanker Josh Ericson.
Academy out-half Caspar Gabriel is joined by Oliver Coffey at scrum-half, while Academy duo Ciarán Mangan and Hugo McLaughlin are named in the centre.
Andrew Osborne starts on the wing, with Academy back Páidí Farrell on the opposite side and Academy full-back Ruben Moloney completing the starting XV.
John McKee is the only replacement to have been capped at senior level while Academy duo Alex Mullan and Tadhg Brophy have both named on the bench as well.
Five Energia All-Ireland League players have been included in the matchday 23, with Jamie Clark and Charlie Hempenstall (both Old Wesley), Artur Smykovskiy (Dublin University), Inigo Cruise-O’Brien (Blackrock College) and Jayden Beckett (Old Belvedere) all named among the replacements.
15. Ruben Moloney (4)
14. Páidí Farrell
13. Hugo McLaughlin (2)
12. Ciarán Mangan (2)
11. Andrew Osborne (18)
10. Caspar Gabriel (1)
9. Oliver Coffey (2)
1. Alex Usanov (2)
2. Stephen Smyth (4) CAPTAIN
3. Niall Smyth (2)
4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (7)
5. Billy Corrigan
6. Alex Soroka (24)
7. Josh Ericson (2)
8. James Culhane (22)
16. John McKee (41) 17. Jamie Clark 18. Alex Mullan 19. Artur Smykovskiy 20. Inigo Cruise-O’Brien 21. Tadhg Brophy 22. Jayden Beckett 23. Charlie Hempenstall
