Ruddock to lead youthful Leinster

Rhys Ruddock will captain a Leinster side bearing little resemblance to that which overhauled Northampton in last season’s Heineken Cup final when the province take on the Ospreys in their first RaboDirectPRO 12 match tomorrow night.

Kevin McLaughlin makes his 50th Leinster appearance in the back row alongside Ruddock and 21-year-old Dominic Ryan.

There are competitive debuts for the half-back pairing of John Cooney and Mat Berquist while second row Damian Browne also comes in for his first start.

Browne locks down with Ireland international Devin Toner with Heinke van der Merwe named in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss and Jamie Hagan.

Luke Fitzgerald will look to make an impression at inside centre with fit-again Eoin O’Malley getting a shot in Brian O’Driscoll’s number 13 jersey.

Rob Kearney’s brother David is part of a threatening back three with ex-Connacht star Fionn Carr and Isa Nacewa completing the backline.

There are six recent Leinster Academy graduates on the replacements bench, amongst them Cillian Willis who re-joined the province this summer having made the last of his 12 appearances in the 2007/08 season.

Unlike Joe Schmidt, Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has the luxury of experience in his squad for their home clash with Glasgow tomorrow night.

Chris Henry will captain the side from number 8 and is joined in the back row by the experienced Pedrie Wannenburg and Willie Faloon.

Paul Marshall and Ian Humphreys will try to control proceedings at half back and will again team up with centres Nevin Spence and Darren Cave.

Ian Whitten finds himself out of his regular position in the centre as he occupies the left wing berth for the first time.

He is joined in the back three by Adam D'Arcy and last season's top try scorer Craig Gilroy.

Lewis Stevenson will make his first competitive appearance for Ulster and will partner Dan Tuohy in the second row.

Jerry Cronin, Paddy McAllister and Andi Kyriacou make up Ulster's front row.

Academy duo Conor Carey and Peter Nelson, as well as development player Adam Macklin, are named among the replacements so are in line for their first competitive appearance.

LEINSTER (v Ospreys): Isa Nacewa; Fionn Carr, Eoin O'Malley, Luke Fitzgerald, David Kearney; Mat Berquist, John Cooney; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Jamie Hagan, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan, Rhys Ruddock (capt).

Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Jack McGrath, Jack O'Connell, Mark Flanagan, Leo Auva'a, Cillian Willis, Ian Madigan, Brendan Macken.

ULSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Adam D'Arcy; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten; Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall; Paddy McAllister, Andi Kyriacou, Jerry Cronin, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (capt).

Replacements: Nigel Brady, Conor Carey, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Robbie Diack, Ian Porter, Paddy Jackson, Peter Nelson.