Leinster favour youth for Champions Cup clash with Bath

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is giving his young players a chance to impress in the Champions Cup at the weekend.

With the province out of contention for the play-off stages, six players are making their first European starts with three of them still in the Leinster Academy.

Here is your #LeinsterRugby starting XV to face @bathrugby in the @ChampionsCup tomorrow. #LEINvBATHhttps://t.co/Sjag2h9pEo

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 15, 2016

Garry Ringrose, Luke McGrath, James Tracy and Tadhg Furlong start for the first time in Europe, while Peter Dooley and Ross Molony make their full European debuts.

In the backs, Zane Kirchner comes in at full back, with Isa Nacewa captaining from the right wing and Dave Kearney on the left.

In the centre Ben Te'o and Garry Ringrose make up the midfield partnership, while in the half backs Luke McGrath makes his first European start alongside Ian Madigan.

It's a completely new look front row with Peter Dooley, James Tracy and Tadhg Furlong starting for the first time in the Champions Cup.

Mike McCarthy is joined by Ross Molony in the second row while in the back row Rhys Ruddock starts at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier on the open side. Jordi Murphy completes the pack from number eight.

Leinster v Bath at the RDS Arena, Saturday 16 - kick-off 5.30pm

Leinster team:15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Isa Nacewa - capt., 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Ben Te'o, 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Luke McGrath; , 1. Peter Dooley, 2. James Tracy, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Mike McCarthy , 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jordi Murphy.

Replacements:16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Marty Moore, 19. Tom Denton, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Eoin Reddan, 22. Johnny Sexton, 23. Noel Reid.