McCarthy and Murphy start for Leinster

Matt O'Connor welcomes back the experienced duo of Mike McCarthy and Jordi Murphy for Leinster's game against Zebre on Sunday.

Fri, 07 Feb, 2014 - 12:47

Matt O'Connor welcomes back the experienced duo of Mike McCarthy and Jordi Murphy for Leinster's game against Zebre on Sunday.

The duo were released from the Irish set up for the Pro12 clash in the Stadio XXV Aprile (Kick-off 5pm) where O'Connor has made a number of changes to his starting 15 from the team that took to the field against Connacht in the last round.

Leinster Academy players Sam Coghlan-Murray and Tadhg Furlong get a chance on the left wing and at tight head respectively, while three other Leinster Academy players are named amongst the replacements.

With Zane Kirchner switched from the right wing to full back, Darragh Fanning comes in for only his 7th Leinster cap after a number of impressive performances for the Leinster 'A' team, while the aforementioned Coghlan-Murray takes his place on the opposite wing.

Brendan Macken gets a chance to impress at 13 with Noel Reid beside him in the centre, while John Cooney and Jimmy Gopperth are selected at 9 and 10 respectively with Gopperth only two points short of 150 career points for Leinster.

In the pack only Jordi Murphy is retained from the side that beat Connacht 8-16 in the Sportsground with Kevin McLaughlin and Shane Jennings also in the back row.

Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon and Tadhg Furlong pack down in the front row with the experienced duo of captain Leo Cullen and Mike McCarthy behind them.

LEINSTER:

15: Zane Kirchner

14: Darragh Fanning

13: Brendan Macken

12: Noel Reid

11: Sam Coghlan-Murray

10: Jimmy Gopperth

9: John Cooney

1: Michael Bent

2: Aaron Dundon

3: Tadhg Furlong