Horgan omitted for Ospreys match
Declan Kidney continues to shuffle his pack with the announcement of the Leinster side to face The Ospreys in the top of the table clash on Friday.
Denis Hickie, fresh from a two-try cameo against Edinburgh last weekend, replaces Shane Horgan, who had started the previous two games. The three-quarter line that finished last weekend’s game continues with Gary Brown starting this week’s game on the right wing. Horgan has been named on an almost surreal replacements bench which includes Gordon D’Arcy, Gavin Hickie, Leo Cullen, Emmett Byrne and Brian O’Meara. Six of the seven replacements are full internationals.
A late decision will be made on Eric Miller who suffered a slight neck strain during the Edinburgh game. Should he fail to shake off the knock, Ciaran Potts will take his place on the bench. Guy Easterby partners David Holwell at half-back, while there are recalls for Ben Gissing, Ricky Nebbett and Shane Jennings in the pack.
Des Dillon will make his fourth start of the season at number eight in place of last weekend’s man of the match Victor Costello who is rested.
Leinster:
15: Girvan Dempsey
14: Gary Brown
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Felipe Contepomi
11: Denis Hickie
10: David Holwell
9: Guy Easterby
1: Reggie Corrigan (Captain)
2: Shane Byrne
3: Ricky Nebbett
4: Malcolm O’Kelly
5: Ben Gissing
6: Aidan McCullen
7: Shane Jennings
8: Des Dillon
Replacements:
16: Emmett Byrne
17: Gavin Hickie
18: Leo Cullen
19: Eric Miller / Ciaran Potts
20: Brian O’Meara
21: Gordon D’Arcy
22: Shane Horgan