Connors, Mangan and Osborne to start for Leinster against Cardiff this Saturday in Tallaght Stadium
Diarmuid Mangan (Sallins) who has been named to start for Leinster against Cardiff this Saturday. Photo ©INPHO/Tom Maher
Three Kildare men have been named in the starting XV for Leinster's pre-season friendly against Cardiff this Saturday at 3pm.
Will Connors and Diarmuid Mangan will start in the pack while Andrew Osborne has been named on the wing.
The game will be something of a novelty as it takes place in Dublin's Tallaght Stadium, home of League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers.
With so many Leinster stars making the slow recovery from their exploits in Australia with the British and Irish Lions, this early part of the season provides a major opportunity for the fringe players in the squad to put their hands up for selection later in the year.
Donadea man Will Connors is the most experienced of the Kildare trio, although an injury-plagued last few years have meant the 29-year-old flanker has had limited opportunities to add to his nine caps for Ireland and his 55 caps for Leinster.
A good run of form for Connors could see him push for a more regular place in Leo Cullen's team selections.
He is joined in the pack by 22-year-old Sallins native Diarmuid Mangan, who returns to the Leinster second row having made a big impression last season.
Mangan, who can operate at both lock and flanker, will be hoping to continue his success in the second row this time around, although he faces incredible opposition for a starting jersey from the likes of double World Cup winner RG Snyman as well as Lions test stars James Ryan and Joe McCarthy.
Another 22-year-old is Andrew Osborne, younger brother of Leinster teammate Jamie, who will hope to follow on from last season's success with another big year in the Leinster back three.
With the likes of James Lowe, Jimmy O'Brien and the incoming Rieko Ioane for competition, the young Naas man will want to hit the ground running against Cardiff.
There's is a fourth Kildare name on the team sheet as well, with the inclusion of Ciaran Mangan on the Leinster bench.
The 20-year-old is the younger brother of Diarmuid and plays primarily in the back three.
Hugo McLaughlin; Jordan Larmour, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Harry Byrne, Fintan Gunne; Paddy McCarthy, John McKee, Andrew Sparrow; Brian Deeny, Diarmuid Mangan; Alex Soroka, Will Connors, James Culhane.
