Goodman To Make Leinster Debut
The Leinster team to face the Ospreys in Sunday afternoon’s RaboDirect PRO12 showdown at the Liberty Stadium (kick-off 4pm) has been named.
New Zealander Andrew Goodman will make his debut for the province at inside centre in a team which shows a number of changes to the side that defeated the Cardiff Blues last weekend.
David Kearney is one of only two players retained in the starting back-line and he moves to full-back with Andrew Conway and Fionn Carr named on the wings.
Ireland scrum half Isaac Boss, who makes his 55th appearance, partners Ian Madigan at half-back with the latter shifting from full-back where he has featured in recent weeks.
The 30-year-old Goodman recently finished playing for Tasman in the ITM Cup and trained with the Leinster squad for the first time on Bank Holiday Monday.
Leinster skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy, speaking at the time, said: “Andrew has come in and it will have to be a steep learning curve for him, we’d like him to be involved at the weekend.
“He is going to be centre or at number 10. He will be in the midfield three and we’re looking forward to seeing what he brings. He is excited about being here and already he seems to be fitting in so well.”
Up front, Shane Jennings captains Leinster from the back row alongside number 8 Leo Auva’a and Rhys Ruddock who made his first senior appearance this season against Cardiff.
Damian Browne partners Devin Toner, who is set to make his 107th appearance for his home province, while the replacements bench is comprised completely of Leinster Academy products.
LEINSTER (v Ospreys): David Kearney; Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken, Andrew Goodman, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Tom Sexton, Jamie Hagan, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings (capt), Leo Auva’a.
Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Ben Marshall, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Noel Reid, Sam Coghlan Murray.