Leinster draft in unheralded lock as another forward heads for exit

Leinster have drafted in uncapped academy secondrow Joe McCarthy for their match with Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park in the United Rugby Championship.

The former Blackrock College student is included in the starting XV after a number of impressive performances for Dublin University in the All-Ireland League.

Standing 6'6 and weighing in at 119kg, the 20-year-old will be looking to impress in a position where there appears to be plenty to play for. He will be partnered on his first outing by club veteran Devin Toner, who is the current Leinster appearances record-holder at 272 games.

The province are in the midst of a depth crisis in the engineroom, with a number of second rows heading for the exit door.

Last night it was reported that utility forward Josh Murphy is set to sign for Connacht. The Irish Times report that Murphy, who started last weekend against Bath, will join the Galway men this summer.

Jack Dunne is reportedly on his way to Exeter Chiefs, while Charlie Ryan is also in talks with a number of teams in the English Premiership.

Against this, Leinster are set to sign Springbok tighthead lock Jason Jenkins from Munster. The 6'7, 125kg lock who can also play backrow, is said to be a done deal, even if head coach Leo Cullen refused to give too much away on the signing in recent weeks.

“We don’t normally comment on this speculation, but I can see how it would make sense for certain people’s minds, for sure. I know that Johann (Van Graan) talks very, very highly of him. He is a big man," Cullen said last week. “You see in some of the big games, South Africa winning the World Cup and that Lions series, the emphasis particularly around the scrum and maul.

LEINSTER:

15. Jimmy O'Brien

14. Adam Byrne

13. Jamie Osborne

12. Ciarán Frawley

11. Rory O'Loughlin

10. Ross Byrne

9. Luke McGrath (C)

1. Ed Byrne

2. Seán Cronin

3. Michael Ala'alatoa

4. Devin Toner

5. Joe McCarthy

6. Rhys Ruddock

7. Will Connors

8. Scott Penny

REPLACEMENTS:

16. James Tracy

17. Peter Dooley

18. Vakh Abdaladze

19. Ross Molony

20. Max Deegan

21. Nick McCarthy

22. Harry Byrne

23. Tommy O'Brien