The main movers and shakers for this weekend’s Heineken Cup clashes across the provinces, which gets underway tonight with Ulster in action at Ravenhill.
By Adrian Collins
There are few major surprises in the Leinster line up for these weekend’s game against the Scarlets, with Brian O’Dricscoll named on the replacement bench as he continues to be eased back into the side given his recent return from injury. Expect to see him make an appearance given that Leinster need the bonus point win.
Eoin Reddan is also on the replacements bench, but Fergus McFadden will start after being rested last week. Kevin McLaughlin misses out through injury, but is expected to return for the game in the next round against Exeter.
Leinster XV: Rob Kearney, Isa Nacewa, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross; Leo Cullen (Captain), Devin Toner; Sean O’Brien, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Heinke van der Merwe, Michael Bent, Tom Denton, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Brian O’Driscoll
Leinster vs. Scarlets at the RDS; Kick off 6pm
There are four changes for the Munster men from last week’s defeat to Cardiff, the main point of interest being the return of Keith Earls from injury to take his place among the starting XV.
Mick Sherry’s ankle injury is on the mend but he’s not yet fit enough to start so he’ll be on the replacements bench for Sunday’s clash at Murrayfield.
Munster XV: Felix Jones, Doug Howlett (Captain), Keith Earls, James Downey, Simon Zebo, Ronan O’Gara, Connor Murray, Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan.
Replacements: Mick Sherry, Wian du Preez, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Patrick Butler, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Casey Laulala.
Edinburgh vs. Munster at Murrayfield; Kick off 12:45pm
Connacht make three changes to the side that beat the Dragons last weekend, with the return of Johnny O’Connor to the back row and Dan Parks being replaced by Matt Jarvis at out-half. Tiernan O’Halloran will also start on the right wing, with Fetu’u Vainikolo moved out to number 11.
Connacht XV: Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Matthew Jarvis, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White (captain), Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor, Eoin McKeon
Replacements: Ethienne Reynecke, Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, Mick Kearney, Eoghan Grace, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, James Loxton
Harlequins vs. Connacht at The Stoop; Kick off 13:35pm
Ulster, who named their squad last night, have been the most active of the Irish provinces, making five changes in total. Rory Best and John Afoa will start, and with Touhy still injured, Henderson gets the nod in the second row.
Ulster XV: Jared Payne, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar, Tom Court, Rory Best, John Afoa, Lewis Stevenson, Iain Henderson, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Nick Williams;
Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick, Neil McComb, Roger Wilson, Paul Marshall, Michael Allen, Chris Cochrane.
Ulster vs. Glasgow Warriors at Ravenhill; Kick off Friday at 8pm
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
