With 370 caps between them, there's no shortage of international experience between the two men charged with making Leinster Lightning the team to beat in the forthcoming RSA Inter-Provincial Series.

Kevin O'Brien has 190 of those caps and Johnston 180. When you add in the back-room staff of Jeremy Bray (83) and Albert van der Merwe (21), that means there's little these guys haven't come across in their extensive and varied careers.

O'Brien is relishing the opportunity to don the captain's armband next month: "Of course, it gives me more opportunities to captain a team at a higher level than just club cricket. It gives me a chance to gain more experience so that when and if I'm needed to captain Ireland when William Porterfield isn't available.

The Leinster squad contains a good blend of youth and experience - was O'Brien happy at the squad selected? "Yes, half the team picked itself to be honest. We've got a lot of senior experience in there with myself, Trent, Alex John and Max - it bodes well. I think the selectors have also looked at club cricket over the last few years and people have been rewarded with consistent perfomances. Bill Coghlan from Clontarf and Pat Collins from Railway who had a great year last year both fall into that category.

"There are a few names that people mightn't be too familiar with - Paul Lawson from Pembroke has had a couple of good years bowling his off-spin. I'm delighted for Pat Collins to get the opportunity. He's an opening batsman and bowls a bit of right arm off-spin. He's been in the top five run scorers in Brisbane Grade One cricket this past two seasons and has done a lot of work over the winter on his bowling with former Canadian star John Davidson who does a lot of coaching work in Brisbane.

On the return of Fintan McAllister to the representative ranks, O'Brien said: "It's great to have him back in Leinster cricket after his spell away. He's as chirpy as ever and I'm sure he'll be looking forward to getting stuck in and ready for the challenge.

"It's a strong squad and there's a lot of cricketers challenging for places - it's going to be a difficult task selecting a final squad. I've worked with Trent before when he was coach at Railway Union, and of course I've played alongside him in the international side this past six or seven years. Weve very similar ideas and philosphies in the way we like to captain sides. I'm hopeful it's going to be very successful partnership in the coming six or seven months.

"I'm looking to win all three formats - of course, that would be the ultimate goal, but there's a bigger picture for Irish cricket as well. We're in the biusiness of developing and improving everyone but the younger players especially. I'll be going into every game looking to win, and although there will be bit of banter between the sides I'm expecting a high intensity to the matches with a great atmosphere to the clashes."

For Leinster coach Trent Johnston there's the heavy responsibility of shaping future internationals. Is that one of his primary goals? "Yes, absolutely. It's one of the most exciting things about the role for me, although dealing with the old established based players will be exciting as well. Looking at the squad we've selected there are quite a number of young players and names that won't be instantly recogniseable to people in the North, but come the end of the summer I certainly hope they are.

"We have picked experienced players in the 22 as well and it looks a strong and exciting squad on paper, and to be part of that I'm very grateful to the Leinster Cricket Union and Cricket Ireland to have given me the opportunity.

Which players amongst the non established stars should the public be looking out for? "Peter Chase has come along leaps and bounds. He's a big tall fast bowler in the Boyd Rankin mould when he first came on the scene. Simmo (Phil Simmons) has been doing a fair bit of work for him. He's got a Category C contract so Cricket Ireland have obviously identified him as someone with a lot of potential.

"Patrick Collins is Queensland born but has an Irish passport as his parents have links with the Cork area. I played with him a few seasons at Railway Union and he's a very exciting cricketer with a real passion for the game. He lives and breathes cricket and has just come off a very successful season in Brisbane.

"Alex O'Brien is a young kid from Merrion who probably hasn't been given the opportunities he warrants. For me as a coach and a player, leg-spin bowling is one weapon that you love to have in your armoury, and is one of the most exciting elements of cricket. Phil identified him a couple of years ago and he's bowled to the senior players a few times in the nets and impressed everyone. He also played last season for the A team in a game or two, and the selectors were unanimous in getting him involved in the squad.

"You also have the likes of Paul Lawson who took 38 wickets in Senior Two down here last season. He's a good up and coming young cricketer who looks an excellent prospect. Looking around the stocks of Irish cricket spin bowling is one area where things look a bit short so this series will hopefully help identify a few guys who will remedy that. It's a big gap between club and international cricket so to have the inter-provincial scene back is first class.

Johnston, whose passion for the game is evident - can we expect the same from a team he coaches? "Absolutely. I want my teams to play exciting, aggressive, attacking cricket, and I know Kevin has that same mentality as well. We'll work hard and prepare well and certainly do our homework on the opposition - we'll certainly not underestimate anyone. I've had a look at the NW squad which was put out recently and it's a very strong one. I know people are making Leinster favourites already but the Northern teams will be tough opposition and I'm expecting tough battles in the months ahead.

"I've been fortunate in my long career to have played under some fantastic coaches. Phil recently and Adi Birrell have both been great influences on my game. I'll certainly take elements from all the coaches I've played under and came into contact with. I've been lucky to play under two guys who have been probably the most successful coaches in Associate cricket history and you can't help but learn from them. I've been especially fortunate to play in five World Cups in the 50 and 20 over format and have talked with a lot of renowned coaches that we come into contact with at these events, and you can't help but learn from these guys.

"As I've gone along over the past five or six years I've made notes on certain methods various coaches have employed, and made notes on my computer (before it crashed and the hard drive died) about those elements that I've felt would work and those that maybe wouldn't and I'd do in a different way. This inter-provincial series gives me a chance to put some of my theories into practice. It's a lot of hard work but it'll be a challenge that I'm looking forward to.

Johnston of course won't be alone in the task having assembled quite a formidable backroom staff. "I'm playing with both Jeremy (Bray) and Albert (van der Merwe) at YM this year. I've known JB since I was 12 years old and I suppose we're cast from the same mould in our cricketing outlook. Albert is one of the two guys who we're giving a playing contract to straightaway. He's going to work with the spin bowlers, JB the batsmen, and myself the quicker bowlers, so hopefully we'll have all bases covered.

"For me Albert is till the best spin bowler in Leinster, so he'll have a playing role as well as a mentoring one also an assistant coach. He has a crucial role to play in the months ahead."

Eddie Richardson is the second player who has received an immediate offer of a contract, and he's a player greatly admired by the new coach: "Eddie's been a very good all-round performer in Senior One cricket down here over the years. He takes wickets, scores vital runs and is good in the field. I think he'll thrive with the offer of a contract and become an excellent cricketer with the right work ethic and coaching. We've shown faith in Eddie because we genuinely believe he's not far from taking his cricket to the next level.

For the players who missed out out on selection, Johnston revealed that the door is still open for them to force their way into consideration. "The door is wide open for anybody who performs well and consistently. I want to make it clear that it's not a closed shop. I spoke to the guys who've been given contracts so far while the selectors have spoken to both those named and ones who have missed out. The door's wide open so if a player starts the season with a bang, then they can be drafted in."

On the inter-provincial format, Johnston felt that Cricket Ireland had got the blend just right. "There's a great mix in the series. Cricket Ireland have clearly put some thought into the way the games unfold and the fact that there's little if any clash with domestic cricket in the Unions. They realize the importance of putting something in place which bridges the considerable gap between club and international cricket and this clearly fits the bill.

"This is a vital time for the development of Irish cricket and providing a pathway through to international cricket. I've obviously been part of the international set-up for 10 years so I know what it takes to succeed at that level. I'll be passing on that knowledge to the young players and let them know just what Phil will expect and wants in an international cricketer. As I said it's an exciting time, and I can't wait for the series to start."

Leinster Lightning's first game is at home to the Northern Knights on May 6th at The Hills.