Leinster vs Zebre: Hosts include five uncapped players in squad for URC game

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has included five uncapped players in his matchday squad for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship game against Zebre at Aviva Stadium (17:30 BST).

Full-back Hugo McLaughlin and prop Jerry Cahir make their debuts from the start, with prop Alex Usanov, fly-half Casper Gabriel and hooker Bobby Sheehan – British and Irish Lions and Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan’s younger brother – named on the bench.

With 22 Leinster players on Ireland duty, Cullen has made 14 changes from last week’s dispiriting 31-14 defeat by rivals Munster at Croke Park, with Max Deegan the only player retained.

Joshua Kenny earns his first start on the right wing after making his debut off the bench against the Sharks a fortnight ago, with Andrew Osborne on the left.

Experienced scrum-half Luke McGrath captains the side as Harry Byrne returns at fly-half.

France prop Rabah Slimani starts at tight-head while Springbok second row RG Snyman is on the bench.

URC holders Leinster have lost three of their first four URC games.

Leinster: McLaughlin; Kenny, Cooney, Tector, A Osborne; Byrne, McGrath; Cahir, McKee, Slimani, Deeny, Mangan, Deegan, Penny, Culhane.

Replacements: B Sheehan, Usanov, Sparrow, Snyman, Soroka, Connors, Gunne, Gabriel.