Leo Cullen doesn't have any complaints about the Emerging Ireland tour and wants to use it in a "positive way" after naming eight tourists from the recent trip in the Leinster squad to face the Emirates Lions tomorrow.
The province provided 11 of the 30-man panel that played three games in South Africa at the start of the month.
Cullen is well used to serving more than one master with the club bulk suppliers to the full Ireland team, the U20s, not to mention a large swathe will likely head off on Lions duty to Australia at the end of the season.
In that context, and adding in injuries and mandatory rest periods, it’s never straightforward to select a Leinster 23.
Cullen has made ten changes to the team that beat Connacht last week, with Robbie Henshaw (above) making a first appearance of the season.
Sam Prendergast, Andrew Osborne, Gus McCarthy and Hugh Cooney, getting his first start, are all in the XV, while Stephen Smyth, James Culhane, Cormac Foley and Charlie Tector are likely to feature off the bench.
As usual, there is plenty of experience there to help the younger guns settle, with Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Luke McGrath adding 459 caps to the backline for the top-of-the-table clash.
"Across the team, you’ll see there’s that mix of youth and experience," Cullen told RTÉ Sport on Friday afternoon.
"It’s great to have Robbie back, and with Hugh. Hugh came off the bench last week and it was nice to see him in the group.
"A lot of guys have got a lot from the Emerging Ireland tour and he would be one. We’ve seen Hugh since he was in school and it was great to see him make his debut last week.
"There’s a little bit of comfort being on the bench, will he get on, will he not get on? Sometimes that the way the game plays
United Rugby Championship
Sport
Rugby
James Lowe
Leo Cullen
Luke Macgrath
Robbie Henshaw
Hugo Keenan
Leinster Rugby
Sam Prendergast