Jennings to skipper Leinster

Shane Jennings will captain Leinster against the Scarlets in Saturday evening's opening game of the RaboDirect PRO12 in Parc y Scarlets (6.30pm).

Jennings is included in the back-row alongside Dominic Ryan and number eight Leo Auva'a. Damian Browne locks down alongside Devin Toner.

Isaac Boss, who led the side in last weekend's 10-all draw away to Sale Sharks, partners Ian Madigan at half back.

Noel Reid continues his centre partnership with Brendan Macken, with Andrew Conway named in the back three alongside Fionn Carr and full-back Isa Nacewa.

Tom Denton could be set to make his competitive debut for the team if he appears from the bench which includes six products from the Leinster Academy.

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt is hopeful the pre-season games, which included a 43-0 defeat to Northampton Saints, will stand to his players when they run out against Scarlets tomorrow.

“We had an extra pre-season game this year to give a lot of the younger players a little bit more experience against some real quality players,” he said.

“I think with the players that Northampton have, that was a tough lesson but it’s a lesson you have to learn before you go to the Scarlets.”

Leinster (v Scarlets): I Nacewa; A Conway, B Macken, N Reid, F Carr; I Madigan, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, J Hagan; D Browne, D Toner; D Ryan, S Jennings, L Auva'a.

Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, M Moore, T Denton, J Murphy, J Cooney, C O'Shea, D Hudson.