Shane Jennings will captain Leinster in their PRO12 clash against the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
Jennings is joined in the back-row by fellow flanker Dominic Ryan and number eight Leo Auva'a.Damian Browne locks down alongside Devin Toner.
Isaac Boss, who skippered the side in last weekend's 10-all draw away to Sale Sharks, partners Ian Madigan at half back.
Twenty-three-year-old fly-half Madigan, who was the province's young player of the year last season, will make his 50th appearance after featuring 26 times last season.
Noel Reid continues his centre partnership with Brendan Macken, with Andrew Conway named in a pacey back three alongside Fionn Carr and full-back Isa Nacewa.
Tom Denton could be set to make his competitive debut for the team if he appears from the bench which includes six products from the Leinster Academy.
Meanwhile, the Scarlets are showing their intent with a strong team and plenty of experience and power to call on from the replacements bench.
There will be plenty to excite the home supporters in the backs with Wales internationals Liam Williams, George North and Scott Williams on hand - backed by experienced league campaigners Andy Fenby, Gareth Maule and Aled Thomas - all of whom put in strong performances in their pre-season clash against London Welsh last weekend.
Aaron Shingler returns to the back-row alongside Josh Turnbull and new skipper Rob McCusker at number eight, with new South African signing George Earle and former Osprey Richard Kelly in the second row after the Scarlets produced a strong line-out performance last weekend.
With internationals Matthew Rees, Rhys Priestland and Jon Davies on the bench, the Scarlets have plenty of experience and flair to draw on for this encounter.
Form: Scarlets have begun in round one of the RaboDirect PRO12 with victory in three of the last four years. The Welshmen concluded the last campaign with just one defeat in their last seven matches: 23-26 at Edinburgh on 30 March. Leinster were the only side to beat Scarlets at home in the RaboDirect PRO12 last season. Since the tournament became a season long one in 2003/04 amazingly Leinster have won in round one just once: 23-8 at home to Edinburgh in 2007! The only side to defeat the Leinstermen in the PRO12 after the 2011 Rugby World Cup was Ospreys, who did it twice. Scarlets have not beaten Leinster in their last seven encounters in all competitions, since their 18-16 victory at Parc y Scarlets in the opening round of this competition in season 2009/10.
The teams:
Scarlets:15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Rob McCusker (c), 7 Josh Turnbull, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Richard Kelly, 4 George Earle, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rhodri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Phil John, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Kieran Murphy, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Jonathan Davies.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Leo Auva'a, 7 Shane Jennings (c), 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Damian Browne, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney, 22 Collie O'Shea, 23 Darren Hudson.
Date: Saturday, September 1
Kick-off: 18:30 BST
Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Tim Hayes (Wales), Martyn Lewis (Wales)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Comments
Toulousain says...
@sincero. ditto. i love watching the irish provinces play, especially vs the english and french clubs. leicester v ulster and leinster v clermont last season were immense games. even connacht vs quins in the wind and rain had its amusing moments. it's unthinkable that the hcup ceases to exist :-)
Posted 17:47 04th September 2012
Sincero says...
Daffyd, you'll never read this at this stage, but you know absolutely nothing about rugby at all... and the fact that you have a huge inferiority complex and spell talent with two As would suggest that you're very much Welsh. Why bother to argue with somebody so ill-informed?
Toulousain- cheers... my solution would be to have qualification based solely on league position, and not on nationality... as it stands the Scottish and Italians go straight in with their two teams- in a fairer world Edinburgh would not have qualified for this year's cup as they ignored last year's league. However, Treviso and Connacht could make it there on merit. Love the French rugby, BTW...
Posted 12:39 04th September 2012
Toulousain says...
@sincero. i see your side too. and you're right, it is important to have italian, scottish and other nations represented. (btw, i'm curious to see how the spanish, romanian etc teams fare in the amlin). i just wish there was a better way to preserve the quality of the hcup and make it fairer, while keeping it inclusive. btw, fair point also re the money. that is not a level playing field either. it's just that in france we need to make that money (ie squad resources) stretch so much further. 29 really tough games in fact. not counting national team games. or hcup. (but then, you know that, since you said you saw our side too).
really tough to see a good solution, but here's hoping we find one!
Posted 18:12 02nd September 2012
melkdave says...
@Sincero
Just to correct you but im not welsh,and i really dont support any Pro12 club or team.Though ill admit i have historical links to the Ospreys region, and Glasgow,alot of family live or have come from those areas..I do however watch Pro12 rugby,as it is generally of a good standard..The so called irish superioty is also such a myth told by irish fans ,to themselves.For one thing Lienster and Munsters successes are artifical,caused by IRFU policy rather than the clubs own efforts.If the RFU pumped vast amounts into any AP club ,year on year ,and said that all the quality english talant had to play for said club,and it could wave having 80-90% of its 1st team squad english qualified.Im damn sure they too would be wining HEC in very short order.So only gloat when your clubs can doit off their own efforts ,and not by having the IRFU holding their hand ,and pumping money into them year on year .Also despite the above ,both clubs success is built on overseas players shoulders rather than irish lol.Where would they be without their overseas frontrows ect wining HECs i dont think so..As has been shown in recent years Irelands players are way behind every other major nation,Wales 3 slams ,France 2 slams England 2-3 championships ,Ireland 1 mesassly slam ,and that by virtuie of a very bad penalty miss by S.Jones ,who would usually have nailed it 99 out of a 100 times .There really is nothing worse than unjustified gloating from supporters who cant argue a concise arguement ,but can insuilt .
Posted 16:45 02nd September 2012
Sincero says...
Two completely different arguments, Toulousain. You are at cross purposes with your ally. Taffy here is miffed because he's envious of the Irish teams' successes, and he'd like better for his team, but he can't be bothered to support them. You're miffed because you see the HEC qualification as unjust. I see your side, and agree on one level. However, we've a league representing 4 unions, and you've a league representing one. We deserve the 10 berths, as recent history points out. However, you can't seriously be complaining about money as a French supporter... have you any idea the resources you have at your disposal compared to what we have?
Posted 00:09 02nd September 2012
Toulousain says...
@melkdave. hear hear! don't worry. you are making sense. its just that no-one on a leinster page is going to give you a fair hearing. or accept what you are saying. or see your point of view.
crunchfit says it best when we says "it's gambling early for reward later in the year". that's the whole point. it's not a gamble. leinster can lose pro12 games with impunity. they'll still qualify for HCup, where all the revenue is. so they're not risking anything. there's no downside. no consequence. as edinburgh proved last year. A gamble would be to play tonight's team in the early rounds of HCup. but that will NEVER happen. i'll happily buy all the leinster bloggers a pint if it does. the "reward later" part is right. their elite players will be fresh when HCup games come around. AP and T14 players will, by then, be tired/injured/not interested. simple.
the english and french clubs would do the same. if they could. but they can't. so they're jealous and are trying to change the system. cos like Biarritz found out last season, if you go badly in the league, you don't qualify for next year'sHCup. unless you win the amlin. which they did. bully for them.
anyhow. it's all been said before. you're in one camp or the other. the trick is not to try to convince the other side of your point of view. dissonance i think it's called. trolling is what they'll call it.
in the meantime, pls keep posting. i love reading your stuff!!
Posted 20:15 01st September 2012
melkdave says...
@To all irish team supporters
Once again my gripe isnt with the irish teams or their supporters,they are just following IRFU policy.My gripe is it looks like the IRFU just dont care about the Pro12 at all.Just how many of you would go to lets say a Leinster V Ospreys game ,if you knew both sides would be fielding 2nd or 3rd string players only??The IRFU policy forces irish teams to do this ,as ive said in different threads,It devalues the whole league imo,and makes the games just training exercises.It also reinforces the notion that the games are meaningless,as win or lose it was just a training exercise,with no consequences,as to where the team finishes in regard to the league.These are your bread and butter games its where teams are supposed to make the bulk of the money,atm that isnt true.I suspect that without IRFU support both Lienster and Munster would struggle financially,as are the welsh and scottish clubs now.That is why i feel the IRFU (not the clubs) is showing disrespect to the other unions ,and teams in the Pro12.Lienster V Scarlets should be a bumper payday for the welsh club ,but i wonder just how many supporters want to watch a Lienster 2nd string team
Posted 18:37 01st September 2012
leinster_goy says...
are there any welsh posters on this site who aren't irritating bleating little trolls?
Posted 17:28 01st September 2012
crunchfit says...
@melkdave
Leinster fans, in general, don't have a problem with the policy, and as for everyone, well they should just be concerned with the management their own teams.
I don't understand how it's disrespectful to other teams. Every team has a good idea of their strengths / weaknesses and their opponents' and they're allowed to take risks with selection. Obviously, strategy doesn't just apply to a single match, you have to account for all your games. Leinster can and they do. If it backfires and they lose, well, their players may have been rested but they don't get any points and if it doesn't backfire and they win, then they get the points and their players don't get the rest. It's gambling early for reward later in the year. Leinster have good 2nd / 3rd string players, unlike some teams, and that's what makes them a good team. The Leinster fans are happy for them to play the teams they are and that's really all that matters.
Posted 14:10 01st September 2012
melkdave says...
@Mr_Right
So i dont know what im talking about do i .Well heres an interesting fact for you,R.Best also played 16 games for his national team Ireland,this year-3 RWCwarm up games-5 RWC games-5 Six Nations games and oh yes 3 Summer tests and only 5 times for his club in the league..I can show the same for most if not all the ireland players
The fact is there are IRB regulations about just how many 1st class games players can play a season -30 I BELEIVE.Now while the English ,french ,welsh scottish ,italains ,leave it upto clubs to rotate players .The IRFU insists on resting them enmass,they just dont think the Pro12 is worthy,and concentrate solely on the HEC ,and thus show great disrespect imo to the other unions ,teams and the league in general.Now theres facts for you ,refrute if you can.
Posted 14:07 01st September 2012
Mr_Right says...
@melkdave
Couldn't agree with you more about the Irish national teams situation. It is laughable how inconsistent they are although I would put that down to bad coaching and no discernible game plan. I personally think the IRFU's resting policy is way over the top, most of the provincial coaches and various Irish international players have also said they find it very frustrating when they are forced to sit out games. Everyone agrees they can't play every single game, but they are rested too much.
However the welsh teams rest their players as well and so do the Scots. So theres no point just singling out the irish teams.
Fortunately Leinster have a strong enough squad to still put out very competitive teams but the team for today is one of the weaker ones.
Posted 14:06 01st September 2012
Sincero says...
p.s. what it smacks of is a huge inferiority complex about the success of Leinster and Munster and Ulster compared to the abject failure that is the Welsh regional system. The Welsh teams can not compete in Europe, and they play at home to wind whistling through the stands. No wonder any player worth his salt is jumping ship.
And as for 'oh, I'd have gone to a game, but it's Leinster's 2nd string'... well, so much wrong with that, where can we begin? The Academy is producing fine young players who are well worth your ticket price, mate. However, Nacewa, Carr, Conway, Boss, Mad Dog, Auva'a, Jenno, Ryan, Strauss and Denton? Never heard of them, right? Sure... who has?! Buch of no-name blow ins... (Leinster by 5).
But mostly can't help but notice the inevitable taff excuse for not going to the stadium to support your local team... so no change there, then.
Posted 13:07 01st September 2012
Sincero says...
Getting pretty sick of the classic illiterate ramblings of the taffy couch potato rugby expert (looking at you, melkdave). Like Manuel, you ah know ah nothing eh.
Posted 12:58 01st September 2012
melkdave says...
Also im not having a go at Leinster or Munster as clubs ,but the IRFU for forcing them into these situations ,im sure the clubs do respect the opposistion ,the IRFU im not so sure
Posted 12:43 01st September 2012
melkdave says...
@Yelloj321
I know all about the IRFU player welfare policy,but that doesnt stop me hating it,Why the players are rested enmass rather than rotated thoughout the season makes no sense to me ,and,smacks of disrespect for the fans and supporters of the teams and league.Opening day of a new league campaign,and not one big irish star player insight,all it does is show the IRFU dont care about the Pro12 imo.Its why i hope and prey that everytime Leinster and Munster play 2nd string sides ,they get hammered by 50+ points,and they finish on the bottom 3 of the league.Dont get me wrong im all for player welfare i used to be one after all.,but resting them enmass just shows such disrespect imho to the other teams and their own and oppossion fans..Also it really seems to be working at national leval doesnt it,Where Ireland are so inconsistant atm ,its laughable or cringing if your irish.,where they cant go 3 games in 3 weeks without being tired and blown and needing a nap.
Posted 10:08 01st September 2012
Mr_Right says...
So tired of reading comments from 'rugby fans' who think they know what they are talking about. I'm looking at you melkdave.
Leinster have put out their strongest possible team. They are without 16 of their first squad players. Some due to injury but mostly due to the IRFU demanding that the players who toured New Zealand are rested.
Leinster have huge respect for the Scarlets and the way they play the game, especially since Leinster were thrashed at home by them a few years back.
Here's a fun fact for you...George North played 8 times for the Scarlets last year and 16 times for Wales. Does that mean nobody should turn up to watch the Scarlets play cause they don't always pick their best players? No it's just an unfortunate part of having centrally contracted players.
Posted 09:06 01st September 2012
jcahill1 says...
Stop getting so indignant when you clearly know nothing about leinsters situation. Most of their players are injured or being rested ACCORDING TO IRFU POLICY.
Posted 21:25 31st August 2012
melkdave says...
@Yelloj321
I know all about the IRFU player welfare policy ,but that still doesnt stop me hating the fact their all rested enmass rather than rotated thoughout the seasion,and wanting it to backfire with Leinster and Munster getting hammered everytime they do it..Dont get me wrong im all for player welfare and them not burning out,but what the IRFU is doing smacks of disrespect for the fans and supporters .I mean opening day of the league campaign ,and no irish stars on show at all,very bad public relations imo.It shows the IRFU just doesnt care about the league or the fans imo.
Posted 16:26 31st August 2012
papachinzo says...
This is more of a 3rd string Leinster team, I'd say Scarlets by 10, but you never know...
Posted 15:40 31st August 2012
yelloj321 says...
@melkdave
Let me educate you. This Irish side (Leinster), does not have the luxury of putting out its best XV, because the IRFU has a player management programme in place that prevents the Irish clubs from playing any of the players who were over in New Zealand. This is Leinster's best XV that they are allowed to play.
Posted 14:54 31st August 2012