Leinster squad to face Edinburgh

Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney are named in the panel for the first time this season and they are joined by Girvan Dempsey who missed last weekend's 18-11 victory over the Ospreys.

Jonathan Sexton, who scored 15 points in the Liberty Stadium, is also included alongside the likes of Leo Cullen, Nathan Hines, Shane Jennings and 19-year-old Leinster Academy and Ireland Under-20 back-row forward Dominic Ryan.

Meanwhile, Leinster's Magners League Interprovincial derby with Munster on Saturday, October 3rd has now sold out. Over 17,000 tickets have been sold for the Heineken Cup opener against London Irish in the RDS on Friday, October 9th (KO: 8pm). The remaining tickets are available from www.leinsterrugby.ie

Leinster squad to face Edinburgh

FORWARDS: Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Mike Ross, Dominic Ryan, Devin Toner, Stan Wright

BACKS: Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Horgan, Chris Keane, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton

REFEREE: Tim Hayes (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Graham Knox (SRU), Bob Nevins (SRU), TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)

Speaking ahead of Saturday's game in Murrayfield, Leinster Consultant Coach ALAN GAFFNEY said that the squad are excited about the prospect of facing an in-form Edinburgh...

"Edinburgh have always been a good side and perhaps they're only getting the recognition they deserve now after their excellent start to the season. They're a side we know well having played them four times last season and with each game you can see how they're progressing, so that makes this weekend's game an exciting one to be a part of and one I know our players are looking forward to.

"We have won two out of our first three games this year and we are improving. We beat a Dragons side at home who are going well near the top of the league and followed that up with the win in Swansea last weekend, so we're pretty happy with where we are, but we also know that there's room for improvement.

"For certain games against different teams we have had to adapt the way we have elected to play and we had a well conceived game plan which the boys carried out which was satisfying because it's not easy to get a result against a side that's as good as the Ospreys.

"The remaining Lions players have been working very hard in training over the last few weeks and I know how desperately keen they all are to get back on the paddock and play. It has been a long pre-season for them, which was deserved after a long season, but they're fit and raring to go and we're happy to welcome them back to the panel. They will just add to the competition levels in the squad, which is good news for us.

"Edinburgh have a hugely competitive pack. Their back-row has been a real area of strength for them in recent years and in my time coaching on this side of the world you expect top face a powerful pack. Their have exciting backs who like to run and they are adept at spinning the ball out wide and playing with a lot of attacking flair. Phil Godman is playing well at 10 and Chris Paterson likes to attack from full-back.

"At this moment in time we know that we're not in top form, but we are improving. Saturday's game will be another massive challenge for us and one that we're looking forward to."