Jamison Gibson-Park fit as Cian Healy gets set to equal Leinster caps record

Michael Glennon Michael Glennon | 09-20 00:15

Jamison Gibson-Park has been passed fit for Leinster's opening BKT URC game against Edinburgh tomorrow, while Cian Healy is set to equal the province’s caps record.

Scrum-half Gibson-Park missed Ireland’s tour with South Africa but has recovered from a hamstring issue and he starts alongside out-half Sam Prendergast at the Hive Stadium (7.35pm).

Ireland prop Healy, meanwhile, will equal Devin Toner’s record of 280 Leinster appearances if he is introduced to the game.

Jack Conan captains the side at number 8, with Max Deegan and Scott Penny filling out an unchanged back row from the 54-26 pre-season win over Northampton Saints two weeks ago.

Conor O’Tighearnaigh, who started against both Bordeaux-Bègles and Northampton in pre-season, partners James Ryan in the second row as one of three academy players to earn a starting berth.

Former Ireland Under-20 captain Gus McCarthy makes his first senior start for Leinster and is joined in the front row by Michael Milne and Thomas Clarkson.

Jamie Osborne has been named at full-back after some impressive displays there against the Springboks, with Tommy O'Brien and Jordan Larmour on the wings.

Third year academy back Charlie Tector has been given the nod at centre alongside Garry Ringrose.

New signing Rabah Slimani is named on the bench as he prepares for his Leinster debut.

John McKee, Brian Deeny and James Culhane provide the rest of the forward cover in a team that mixes youth with experience.

Rob Russell joins the veteran half-back duo of Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne as the final replacements for Friday night’s season opener.

Elsewhere, Ulster have signed prop Corrie Barrett until the end of the season.

Barrett has made appearances in the province’s pre-season friendlies against Benetton and Exeter Chiefs.

He was previously on the books for Garryowen, Munster ‘A’, Bedford Blues, Saracens, and most recently, Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship last season.


Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Charlie Tector, Jordan Larmour; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Michael Milne, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson; Conor O’Tighearnaigh, James Ryan; Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Jack Conan (capt).

Replacements: John McKee, Cian Healy, Rabah Slimani, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Rob Russell.

Edinburgh Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham, Mosese Tuipulotu, Matt Currie, Duhan van der Merwe; Ross Thompson, Ali Price; Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, Paul Hill; Marshall Sykes, Grant Gilchrist (capt); Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Ben Muncaster.

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Boan Venter, D'arcy Rae, Jamie Hodgson, Magnus Bradbury, Ben Vellacott, Ben Healy, Emiliano Boffelli.

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