Leinster name strong side to kick off URC campaign as Cian Healy equals record

Having been green-lighted to deploy those who featured in the South African series, Jamie Osbourne will reprise his summer stint at full-back, while Garry Ringrose and James Ryan also start.

Jamison Gibson-Park returns from a hamstring injury which saw him miss Ireland’s drawn Test series with South Africa over the summer to form a half-back partnership with Sam Prendergast getting the nod at out-half.

Cian Healy will equal Devin Toner’s record of 280 Leinster appearances when Leinster travel to Edinburgh for tomorrow night’s URC opener with a full-fit Jamison Gibson Park aiming to spark their title charge.

Healy made his senior debut as a teenager back in May 2007, aged 19, replacing Reggie Corrigan in a 31-0 win over the now-defunct Border Reivers at Donnybrook.

Jack Conan captains the side at number eight, 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.

Third year Academy star Charlie Tector has been given the nod at centre alongside Garry Ringrose.

Osborne is permed with Tommy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour on the wings.

New signing Rabah Slimani prepares for his Leinster debut, alongside Healy.

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.

Edinburgh’s new signing, the abrasive midfielder Mosese Tuipulotu, will earn his club debut having made a summer move from NSW Waratahs, with fellow summer recruits Paul Hill (tighthead) and Ross Thompson (out-half) also set to start against the Irishmen.

Head Coach Sean Everitt’s first selection of the season also sees Ben Muncaster complete his injury return, to start at number eight tomorrow night.

Edinburgh – W Goosen; D Graham, M Tuipulot, M Currie, D van der Merwe; R Thompson, A Price; P Schoeman, D Cherry, P Hill, M Sykes, G Gilchrist capt, J Ritchie, H Watson, B Muncaster.

Reps – E Ashman, B Venter, D Rae, J Hodgson, M Bradbury, B Vellacott, B Healy, E Boffelli.

Leinster – J Osborne; T O’Brien, G Ringrose, C Tector, J Larmour; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; M Milne, G McCarthy, T Clarkson, C O’Tighearnaigh, J Ryan, M Deegan, S Penny, J Conan capt.

Reps – J McKee, C Healy, R Slimani, B Deeny, J Culhane, L McGrath, R Byrne, R Russell.

Referee – A Piardi (FIR)

Edinburgh v Leinster, Hive Stadium, 7.35, TG4, Premier Sports