Deegan to captain Leinster in pre-season friendly against Zebre

Max Deegan will captain Leinster in their pre-season friendly against Zebre Parma at the redeveloped Laya Arena on Saturday, kicking off at 2.30pm. This will be Leinster’s only home pre-season friendly, serving as a Test event ahead of their homecoming clash with Cardiff in the URC on 10 October.

Deegan will lead Leo Cullen’s side from blindside flanker, alongside Scott Penny on the openside and Josh Ericson at number eight. Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Brian Deeny will pair up in the second row, while Alex Usanov and Niall Smyth pack down either side of Gus McCarthy in the front row.

Caspar Gabriel has been selected at out-half, partnered by Fintan Gunne in the scrum-half position. Charlie Tector and Hugh Cooney will start in the centre, with Andrew Osborne and Ciarán Mangan named on the wings and Todd Lawlor at full-back.

The Leinster XV features 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, and Josh Ericson. The replacements are 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, and Charlie Molony.