Cheika to debut Nacewa in pre-season opener

Coach Michael Cheika will give a Leinster debut to Isa Nacewa against Padova in the province's opening pre-season game of the season on Wednesday evening in Italy (KO: 7pm Irish time).

It is an inexperienced side with Simon Keogh returning after a number of years at Harlequins and the exciting prospect of Eoin O'Malley and Fergus McFadden combining in the centre.

Stephen Keogh, Stephen Knoop and Trevor Hogan will be asked to lead up front against what is sure to be an abrasive Italian outfit.

LEINSTER (v Padova): Isa Nacewa; Gary Brown, Eoin O'Malley, Fergus McFadden, Simon Keogh; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Keane; Cian Healy, Bran Blaney, Stephen Knoop; Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt; Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh.

REPLACEMENTS: Ronan McCormack, John Fogarty, Stan Wright, Devin Toner, Luke Fitzgerald, Girvan Dempsey, Kyle Tonetti, Paul O'Donohoe.