Lawlor set for debut as Leinster launch Laya Arena
Former Newbridge College man, Todd Lawlor, is set to make his senior LEinster debut at fullback on Saturday. Photo: INPHO/Grace Halton.
Leinster Rugby are finally set to unveil their new permanent home, with three Kildare players named in the starting XV for the very first game at the Laya Arena.
This is a first opportunity for fans to set foot inside the redeveloped RDS, where the last game was played in May 2024.
Since then, Leinster have been based at the Aviva Stadium and for premier games, Croke Park. This was initially a major boost to the province, but the law of diminishing returns resulted in smaller and smaller crowds attending the two Dublin grounds.
Now back in their spiritual home of the RDS, the re-named Laya Arena has the chance to become a fortress for Leinster.
The three Kildare player named in the team are all in the back line, with Todd Lawlor set to make his senior Leinster debut at full back.
Ciaran Mangan, who made his debut last season, will start on the left wing, while Andrew Osborne starts on right wing.
The game pits Leinster against Italian side, Zebre, with the URC set to get underway in two weeks' time.
Todd Lawlor; Ciarán Mangan, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Caspar Gabriel, Fintan Gunne; Alex Usanov, Gus McCarthy, Niall Smyth; Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Brian Deeny; Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Josh Ericson.
Stephen Smyth, Peter Dooley, Alex Mullan, Ryan Baird, Josh Neill, Cormac Foley, Jack Deegan, Hugo McLaughlin, Andrew Sparrow, Alan Spicer, Dylan McNeice, Alex Soroka, Oliver Coffey, Charlie Molony.
