Magners Preview: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors
Leinster will be bidding to extend their lead at the top of the Magners League when they face former table toppers Glasgow Warriors in tonight’s refixed encounter at the RDS. Can the Scottish side upset the odds or will Leinster maintain their enviable home form?
MAGNERS LEAGUE: Thursday, March 18
LEINSTER (1st) v GLASGOW WARRIORS (4th), the RDS, 7.30pm
Team News: The Leinster team to face the Glasgow Warriors in Thursday night’s Magners League game at the RDS has been named.
Malcolm O’Kelly will make his 180th appearance in Leinster colours on Thursday, while on the other end of the spectrum there is a first home start for Eoin O’Malley and Paul Ryan.
The 21-year-old Ryan made his senior debut for the province away to the Dragons at the beginning of December.
He is rewarded with his home debut in a back row which includes in-form duo Stephen Keogh and Kevin McLaughlin.
Bernard Jackman will captain the side, having been named in a powerful front row alongside fellow Ireland international Mike Ross and South Africa’s CJ van der Linde.
O’Malley, meanwhile, continues his centre partnership with Fergus McFadden, while Paul O’Donohoe comes in at scrum half alongside Australian out-half Shaun Berne.
Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors have made just one change to the side that secured a late 19-19 draw with Connacht two weeks ago.
The solitary change comes on the right wing where Hefin O’Hare replaces Colin Shaw who is with the Scotland Sevens squad preparing for this weekend’s IRB Sevens World Series event in Adelaide.
The Warriors are without 14 members of their squad due to injury or international duty, with their league top scorer Dan Parks gearing up to face Ireland at Croke Park this weekend.
LEINSTER: Girvan Dempsey; Simon Keogh, Eoin O’Malley, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa; Shaun Berne, Paul O’Donohoe; CJ van der Linde, Bernard Jackman (capt), Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Malcolm O’Kelly, Kevin McLaughlin, Paul Ryan, Stephen Keogh.
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Stan Wright, Trevor Hogan, Eoin Sheriff, Chris Keane, Ian Madigan, Michael Keating.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: Bernardo Stortoni; Hefin O’Hare, Peter Murchie, Peter Horne, DTH van der Merwe; Ruaridh Jackson, Mark McMillan (capt); Jon Welsh, Dougie Hall, Ed Kalman, Tim Barker, Daniel Turner, James Eddie, Calum Forrester, Richie Vernon.
Replacements: Fergus Thomson, Moray Low, Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro, Colin Gregor, Dave McCall, Chris Kinloch.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Mark Hermin (both Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Leinster to win: 1/10; Draw: 25/1; Glasgow Warriors to win: 11/2
Pre-Match Quotes: Bernard Jackman (Leinster) – “The win over Cardiff was satisfying because everyone stepped up to the plate. It was a real team performance and some of the younger guys really put it up to them which does give you a good lift.
“The dressing room afterwards was a pretty happy place to be in and it was up there with some of our big Heineken Cup wins over the years.
“From a forwards perspective our set piece went well and this week we know that we will need to be as sharp, if not sharper again.
“We’re exactly where we want to be at the top of the Magners League and we’ve got to push on from here.
“Glasgow are a side who always put it up to you. Scottish sides sometimes don’t get the respect that they deserve yet themselves and Edinburgh are right up on the top end of the Magners League table, but we know all about the threats that they can pose.
“It is a huge honour to be asked to lead the team out again, but the mindset from our point of view is that we must back up our recent wins and everyone who is selected has an opportunity to stake a claim on a Leinster shirt.”
Sean Lineen (Glasgow Warriors) – ” Considering injuries and call-ups, I’ve been really pleased by how the players have responded.
“I was impressed with how the players stepped up against Connacht, and since then, they have trained outstandingly well ahead of what is another significant step-up against European champions Leinster.”
Top Scorers – 2009/10 Magners League: Leinster – Points: Jonathan Sexton 93; Tries: Shane Horgan, Isa Nacewa 2 each; Glasgow Warriors – Points: Dan Parks 138; Tries: Thom Evans 4
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, November 10, 2006 – Leinster 38 Glasgow Warriors 23, Donnybrook
Friday, April 6, 2007 – Glasgow Warriors 26 Leinster 20, Hughenden
Friday, October 12, 2007 – Glasgow Warriors 21 Leinster 17, Firhill Arena
Friday, March 21, 2008 – Leinster 34 Glasgow Warriors 18, the RDS
Friday, October 24, 2008 – Glasgow Warriors 15 Leinster 12, Firhill Arena
Saturday, April 25, 2009 – Leinster 36 Glasgow Warriors 13, the RDS
MATCH FACTS:
– Leinster are unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions since a 30-14 defeat to the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in the Magners League on December 6
– Michael Cheika’s side have not been beaten at the RDS in the Magners League since Munster were the visitors on September 28, 2008
– Glasgow Warriors are without a victory since beating the Dragons 29-25 at Firhill Arena in the Heineken Cup on January 15. The Warriors’ most recent win outside of Scotland in the Magners League was a 25-13 success at Ulster on December 4
– The last six clashes between these two teams have all been won by the home side on the day
– Glasgow Warriors have never won in eleven previous trips to Dublin to play Leinster in all competitions