Leinster have added seven new faces to their Academy for the forthcoming season, bringing the number of players in the set-up below the senior team to 21.

All of the players have been involved with the Ireland U-20s in the last two seasons, with Trinity back Rob Russell a member of the 2019 Grand Slam-winning side.

Trinity hooker Lee Barron, UCD and Lansdowne props Jack Boyle and Temi Lasisi, UCD centre Chris Cosgrave and scrum-half Ben Murphy are also added.

The province promoted props Thomas Clarkson and Michael Milne and out-half David Hawkshaw to their senior ranks this summer, while nine of those still in the Academy have played for the senior team so far including Liam Turner and Jamie Osborne who have six appearances each and Max O'Reilly who has seven.

“We are delighted as a club to announce our Academy intake for the season ahead," Leinster's head of operations Guy Easterby told the province's website.

“The seven new additions will add considerably to the group that we already have within our Academy system and they should all take inspiration from the 15 Academy, pathway and age-grade players that represented our Senior team in the PRO14 last season.

“It is also important, at this point, to congratulate the players who have been promoted from our Academy to join our Senior squad for the coming season and wish them the very best of luck as they continue their careers with us.

“For our new Academy intake, this announcement is a hugely special moment and a significant step in their rugby journeys.

"We shouldn’t underestimate the commitment they have made as individuals to get to this point, it is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work and dedication.

"The reality is though that their next challenge starts now and we look forward to doing everything we can to help these young men realise their ambitions on the pitch and continue to grow as people off the pitch."

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year Three 2021/22: Brian Deeny, Cormac Foley (1 cap), Martin Moloney (1 cap), Charlie Ryan, Liam Turner (6 caps)

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year Two 2021/22: Niall Comerford, Marcus Hanan (2 caps), Joe McCarthy, John McKee, Jamie Osborne (6 caps), Seán O'Brien (2 caps), Max O'Reilly (7 caps), Andrew Smith (2 caps), Alex Soroka (2 caps)

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year One 2021/22: Jack Boyle, Lee Barron, Chris Cosgrave, Mark Hernan, Temi Lasisi, Ben Murphy, Rob Russell