O'Sullivan set for first start for Leinster
After making his Champions Cup debut for Leinster last week in the victory over Wasps, Kiltale man Hugh O'Sullivan is set to make it first start for the province in Friday evening's PRO14 clash with Scarlets at the RDS, 7.35pm, live on eir Sport and TG4.
Scrum-half O'Sullivan has seven caps for Leinster, but all have come from the substitutes bench. However, it most of Leinster first team squad away on international prep, O'Sullivan is set to be handed his first start for the Blues and he will have Skerries RFC man Ciarán Frawley outside him in the number 10 jersey.
Cullen has seven Leinster Academy players in the 23 but has been able to recall a number of senior players from injury and suspension as well as handing a potential debut off the bench to Academy forward Jack Dunne.
Rob Kearney is back from injury to take his place as captain at full-back with Barry Daly on the right wing and James Lowe back from suspension on the left.
In the centre Academy back Conor O'Brien and Rory O'Loughlin are again named together having also started against Connacht in the Christmas interpro.
In the pack Jack McGrath, James Tracy and Michael Bent are the front row selected by Cullen with Ross Molony and Mick Kearney in the engine room.
The back row consists of Max Deegan, Scott Penny and Caelan Doris.
On the bench Leinster Academy forward Jack Dunne is in line to become the 1,276th Leinster player should he make an appearance at the RDS tomorrow.
Leinster - Rob Kearney, Barry Daly, Rory O’Loughlin, Conor O’Brien, James Lowe, Ciarán Frawley, Hugh O’Sullivan; Jack McGrath, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Mick Kearney, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Caelan Doris. Subs - Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Vakh Abdaladze, Jack Dunne, Oisín Dowling, Jamison Gibson-Park, Noel Reid, Jimmy O’Brien.