Naas man Byrne handed European debut after stunning form of late

Former Naas RFC winger Adam Byrne has been rewarded for his fine form of late by being handed his European debut for the crunch clash with Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup tomorrow evening.

The Kildare native has been in scintillating form of late, and he has already scored five tries this season. Injuries to the likes of Dave Kearney and Fergus McFadden have given the 22-year-old winger his shot at a first team place, and he will be eager to nail down a spot on the right wing for the forseeable future with another decent showing against the English side tomorrow.

Joey Carbery continues in the number 10 shirt in the absence of Johnny Sexton, with the highly rated 21-year-old partnering fellow Irish international Luke McGrath at halfback.

Rob Kearney starts at full back with Isa Nacewa captaining the side from the left wing and Byrne on the right wing.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose will start in the centre together for the first time since the Round 2 game against Montpellier.

It’s a new front row with Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong starting.

In the second row, Meath native Devin Toner will win his 50th European cap when he runs out against the Saints. Toner made his European debut in October 2008 against Edinburgh Rugby. He will have Hayden Triggs for company in the engine room.

Finally in the back row, Sean O’Brien starts at blind side with Josh van der Flier selected at open side and Jamie Heaslip at number eight.

Leinster Academy backs Ross Byrne and Rory O’Loughlin have been selected on the bench and should they be introduced they will make their European debuts.

Kick-off in Franklin Gardens is pencilled in for 7.45pm tomorrow evening.

LEINSTER: (Leinster caps in brackets)

15. Rob Kearney (182)

14. Adam Byrne (8)

13. Garry Ringrose (29)

12. Robbie Henshaw (3)

11. Isa Nacewa CAPTAIN (158)

10. Joey Carbery (10)

9. Luke McGrath (59)

1. Jack McGrath (101)

2. Sean Cronin (121)

3. Tadhg Furlong (56)