Build fails with "Execution failed for task ':launcher:checkReleaseAarMetadata'“ and “Execution failed for task ':unityLibrary:generateReleaseRFile'“ when building with a custom mainTemplate.gradle file for Android

Reproduction steps:
1. Open the attached project "ReproProj"
2. Open the “/Assets/Scenes/Game.unity” Scene
3. Switch to Android Platform (File > Build Settings > Android > Switch Platform)
4. Build (File > Build Settings > Build)

Expected result: Build succeeds
Actual result: Build fails with “Execution failed for task ':launcher:checkReleaseAarMetadata'“ and “Execution failed for task ':unityLibrary:generateReleaseRFile'“ Errors

Reproducible with: 2021.3.35f1, 2022.3.19f1, 2023.2.9f1, 2023.3.0b5

Testing environment: Windows 10 Enterprise 21H2
Not reproducible on: No other environment tested

Notes:

• Reproduces with Mono and IL2CPP
• Reproduces with Vulkan and OpenGLES3