Preview: Leinster v Ospreys
Leinster have named Luke Fitzgerald at full-back for what will be a rematch of the 2009/10 Magners League Final at the RDS this Friday.
Leinster have named Luke Fitzgerald at full-back for what is a rematch of the 2009/10 Magners League Final at the Royal Dublin Society this Friday.
The exciting runner starts in the fifteen jersey in an all-Ireland qualified back-line for the visit of the Ospreys in a game, which will mark the province's 50th competitive encounter at the Dublin ground.
Fitzgerald lines up in a three with Shane Horgan and Fergus McFadden, while Brian O'Driscoll partners Gordon D'Arcy at centre and Jonathan Sexton is alongside Eoin Reddan at half-back.
Leo Cullen leads the side in the second-row with Devin Toner, with Dominic Ryan coming into the back-row alongside Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip.
Isaac Boss, Nathan Hines and Rhys Ruddock are named on a bench which contains a mix of youth and experience and a decision on the final outside back replacement will be made closer to kick off.
Meanwhile, Ospreys Director of Coaching Scott Johnson has surprisingly handed youngster Justin Tipuric the captaincy responsibility for the tough trip.
“They don't come much harder in terms of the Magners League than Leinster away, so we know the size of the challenge we face at the weekend. We did pretty well out there last year but there's no doubting they are a formidable side. It's not an easy place to go and win,” he said.
“It's going to be a memorable evening for Justin Tipuric, who will lead the team for the first time. He is a young man that we have real faith in.
“We believe he has the rugby ability and the personality to be a natural captain. Just as was the case with Alun Wyn's appointment, it is a long-term decision that we believe will benefit the Ospreys as a whole. We want to give Justin the experience as we see him as future captain of the region.”
James Hook is a late withdrawal from the 23 originally named due to a back spasm, although the Ospreys remain optimistic about his prospects to recover fully for the Heineken Cup fixture against London Irish next week.
Tom Prydie comes in, wearing the 23 shirt, with Gareth Owen switching to 22.
Form: The Welshmen have won their last two fixtures with Leinster. Leinster have won their last three matches in all competitions since their 13-20 reversal in Montferrand on 12 December. The Leinstermen's only defeat at the RDS in the Magners League since 2008 was to Ospreys in last season's Grand Final. Ospreys 25-27 defeat at Cardiff on New Year's Eve ended a four game winning run in all competitions. Ospreys have won just once on the road since October: 16-15 at Connacht in the Magners League on 19 November.
The teams:
Leinster: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Clint Newland, 19 Nathan Hines, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Eoin O'Malley/Isa Nacewa.
Ospreys: 15 Barry Davies, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Justin Tipuric (capt), 6 Tom Smith, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 James Goode, 20 Jonathan Thomas, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 Gareth Owen, 23 Tom Prydie .
Date: Friday, January 7
Kick-off: 19:35
Venue: RDS
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Simon McDowell, M Hermin (both IRFU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)