Depleted Leinster can still call on experienced squad for Edinburgh

Despite being short 17 players following World Cup squad announcements, Leo Cullen is able to call on plenty of experience for his opening Guinness Pro12 encounter as head coach of Leinster against Edinburgh in Meggetland tonight (7.35pm).

The Blues have 16 representatives in Joe Schmidt’s 31-man selection, and with Zane Kirchner also receiving the nod in South Africa’s final squad, Cullen’s hand will be forced in the opening weeks of the new campaign.

However, he is able to call upon the services of Michael Bent, Jack Conan, Fergus McFadden, Noel Reid and Isaac Boss after their recent release from Ireland’s World Cup training camp.