Depleted Leinster keen to demonstrate depth

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt can name three senior Irish internationals in the team to face Aironi at the RDS tonight despite having 13 players away on Six Nations duty and another two out injured.

A third, Isaac Boss, will be on the bench, while there is also the possibility Shane Jennings, who did not appear as a replacement against Italy last Saturday, may be released.

As it is, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin and Rhys Ruddock will all be afforded much-needed game time against the Italian visitors in the Magners League tonight with Ruddock wearing the armband.