LEINSTER ‘A’ LOOK TO BUILD ON WINNING START

LEINSTER ‘A’ will aim to make it back-to-back wins in the BritishandIrishCupwhen they host Cardiff Blues Premiership Select at Donnybrook this evening

(7.30).

Noel McNamara’s youngsters were ruthlessly clinical in disposing of Doncaster last weekend and against a Cardiff side who were beaten, expect another convincing Leinster win here.

The province’s strength in depth is again highlighted by being able to call on a sub-Academy player, as former Blackrock College student Richard Dunne gets a start in the back-row.

Having come off the bench in Leinster’s impressive Champions Cup win over Montpellier last Saturday, Ross Molony (above) now finds himself captaining the ‘A’ side.

Les Kiss will be delighted to see Schalk van der Merwe finally make his first appearance for Ulster tomorrow when the South African prop lines out for the ‘A’ team away to the Cornish Pirates.

Van der Merwe picked up a shoulder injury shortly after joining the province in the summer and he will be eager to get some muchneeded game time under his belt.

There is also a welcome return for Craig Gilroy as the winger has recovered from a stress fracture in his lower back to make his first start of the season.

Ulster ‘A’ got their B&I Cup campaign off to a fine start with a win over Scarlets Premiership Select but face a tricky trip this time.

Elsewhere, Connacht Eagles will be looking to bounce back from their defeat in Rotherham when they welcome Ealing Trailfinders to the Sportsground tomorrow (2.0).

After impressing in Geneva, Andrew Deegan is dropped to the

‘A’ side, while Rory Scholes and JP Cooney also come into the team.

Niyi Adeolokun and Naulia Dawai again continue their comeback from injury with the Eagles as they start on the wing and in the back-row respectively. Scrum-half James Mitchell is set to return from the bench.