The game was a chance for some of Leinster’s younger squad members to impress.
Fintan Gunne scored two tries, while Niall Smyth, Gus McCarthy, Josh Ericson, Cormac Foley, Josh Neill and Alan Spicer also crossed the line for Leinster.
Simone Gesi crossed for Zebre.
Hugo McLaughlin with fans afterwards. Grace Halton / INPHO
Today’s fixture was a test event at the RDS, with Leinster’s first home game of the new season coming against Cardiff on 10 October.
Capacity at the redeveloped ground is now 20,600, up from 18,500.
A view of the ground before the game. Eoin Burke / INPHO
It will be a slow bedding in process, as Leinster won’t then return to the Laya until 19 December, with home games against Munster and Sale Sharks (Champions Cup) expected to be played in the Aviva.
Scorers:
Leinster: F Gunne 2 tries; N Smyth, G McCarthy, J Ericson, C Foley, J Neill, A Spicer try each; C Gabriel 7 cons; C Tector con.
Zebre: S Gesi 2 tries; G Montemauri con.
Leinster
15. Todd Lawlor
14. Ciarán Mangan
13. Hugh Cooney
12. Charlie Tector
11. Andrew Osborne
10. Caspar Gabriel
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Alex Usanov
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Niall Smyth
4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh
5. Brian Deeny
6. Max Deegan (Capt)
7. Scott Penny
8. Josh Ericson
Replacements: Alex Mullan for N Smyth (34 mins); Stephen Smyth for McCarthy, Peter Dooley for Usanov, Ryan Baird for Deeny, Oliver Coffey for Gunne, Cormac Foley for Gabriel (all h/t); Alex Soroka for Ericson, Josh Neill for Penny (both 45 mins); Jack Deegan for Cooney, Hugo McLaughlin for Gunne, Dylan McNeice for O’Tighearnaigh, Charlie Molony for Lawlor (all 52 mins); Andrew Sparrow for Mullan, Alan Spicer for Deegan (both 56 mins); C Gabriel for Tector, A Osborne for Mangan both (64 mins); J Ericson for Neill (71 mins).
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Leinster ease to victory in pre-season friendly at Laya Arena
Leinster 56
Zebre Parma 12
LEINSTER RETURNED TO the newly refurbished RDS in style this afternoon.
The eastern province scored eight tries at the rebranded Laya Arena in a pre-season, 56-12 friendly win against Zebre.
The game was a chance for some of Leinster’s younger squad members to impress.
Fintan Gunne scored two tries, while Niall Smyth, Gus McCarthy, Josh Ericson, Cormac Foley, Josh Neill and Alan Spicer also crossed the line for Leinster.
Simone Gesi crossed for Zebre.
Today’s fixture was a test event at the RDS, with Leinster’s first home game of the new season coming against Cardiff on 10 October.
Capacity at the redeveloped ground is now 20,600, up from 18,500.
It will be a slow bedding in process, as Leinster won’t then return to the Laya until 19 December, with home games against Munster and Sale Sharks (Champions Cup) expected to be played in the Aviva.
Scorers:
Leinster: F Gunne 2 tries; N Smyth, G McCarthy, J Ericson, C Foley, J Neill, A Spicer try each; C Gabriel 7 cons; C Tector con.
Zebre: S Gesi 2 tries; G Montemauri con.
Leinster
15. Todd Lawlor
14. Ciarán Mangan
13. Hugh Cooney
12. Charlie Tector
11. Andrew Osborne
10. Caspar Gabriel
9. Fintan Gunne
1. Alex Usanov
2. Gus McCarthy
3. Niall Smyth
4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh
5. Brian Deeny
6. Max Deegan (Capt)
7. Scott Penny
8. Josh Ericson
Replacements: Alex Mullan for N Smyth (34 mins); Stephen Smyth for McCarthy, Peter Dooley for Usanov, Ryan Baird for Deeny, Oliver Coffey for Gunne, Cormac Foley for Gabriel (all h/t); Alex Soroka for Ericson, Josh Neill for Penny (both 45 mins); Jack Deegan for Cooney, Hugo McLaughlin for Gunne, Dylan McNeice for O’Tighearnaigh, Charlie Molony for Lawlor (all 52 mins); Andrew Sparrow for Mullan, Alan Spicer for Deegan (both 56 mins); C Gabriel for Tector, A Osborne for Mangan both (64 mins); J Ericson for Neill (71 mins).
Homecoming Leinster RDS Rugby