GUINNESS PRO12 rugby returns to the RDS for the first time this season as Leinster look to bounce back from their opening round defeat by getting the better of the Scarlets.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, September 13
LEINSTER (10th) v SCARLETS (8th), the RDS, 2.40pm (live Sky Sports 1 HD)
Team News: Jamie Heaslip is back to captain Leinster for their first home game of the season – Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO12 round 2 encounter with the Scarlets at the RDS.
Also making their seasonal bows are fellow Ireland internationals Rob Kearney, who starts at full-back, and Devin Toner who partners Mike McCarthy in the second row.
With Kearney returning in the back-three, Zane Kirchner moves to the right wing with Darragh Fanning again selected on the left wing. The St. Mary’s College clubman has now started all four of Leinster’s games in recent weeks, including the two pre-season friendlies.
Brendan Macken starts at outside centre with Ian Madigan wearing the number 12 jersey. Madigan came on at inside centre for the injured Noel Reid in the opening minute of the defeat to Glasgow Warriors.
Head coach Matt O’Connor confirmed yesterday that Reid’s ankle injury is not as bad as first feared and expects him to be back within a number of weeks rather than months.
Isaac Boss, who made his 100th appearance for the province last weekend, starts again at scrum half alongside Jimmy Gopperth.
After his try-scoring performance off the bench last, Jack McGrath starts at loosehead prop with Mike Ross on the other side of the front row and Sean Cronin continuing at hooker.
The returning Heaslip slots in at number 8 with Dominic Ryan and Shane Jennings completing the back row combination.
Tickets to the game are still available at www.leinsterrugby.ie/tickets or can be bought on the day with the ticket office open from 10am.
Meanwhile, the Scarlets will be looking to build on the positives from their round 1 draw with Ulster which included an impressive haul of four tries.
Wales international Liam Williams is named in the starting line-up – featuring at full-back – having been cleared of any playing suspension following his red card (after two yellows) against Ulster.
Scott Williams is joined in the centre by Gareth Owen, who replaces the injured Regan King, while Jordan Williams comes in on the left wing to replace the injured Michael Tagicakibau.
The only change to the pack sees flanker Aaron Shingler replace Rob McCusker who drops back to the replacements bench.
LEINSTER: Rob Kearney; Zane Kirchner, Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Darragh Fanning; Jimmy Gopperth, Isaac Boss; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt).
Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Ben Marshall, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan, Steve Crosbie, Michael McGrath.
SCARLETS: Liam Williams; Harry Robinson, Gareth Owen, Scott Williams, Jordan Williams; Rhys Priestland, Rhodri Williams; Phil John, Ken Owens (capt), Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Johan Snyman, Aaron Shingler, John Barclay, Rory Pitman.
Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Peter Edwards, Richard Kelly, Rob McCusker, Aled Davies, Steven Shingler, Adam Warren.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Jonathan Peak (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Alan Rogan (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Leinster to win: 1/8; Draw: 30/1; Scarlets to win: 9/2
Pre-Match Quotes: Fergus McFadden (Leinster) – “Looking back on it we’re disappointed with the loss (to Glasgow), obviously, but coming away with something was better than nothing after such a bad first half.
“Obviously letting the result slip away at the very end, it was disappointing. We went over there for the win and probably didn’t deserve it. But at the same time, playing badly and just letting it slip away at the end was disappointing. Looking to right a few wrongs this week, fingers crossed.
“The Scarlets like to offload the ball and throw it around a lot, so it was a lesson last week against Glasgow, and hopefully we’ve learned our lesson now going into a similar team in Scarlets.
“You’ve got (Rob) McCusker, the likes of Scott Williams, Rhys Priestland, Liam Williams. These guys are turning in to senior players now and they’ve been around a while – they’ve got some leaders in their group.
“Getting the likes of Regan King back, I think he’s a big character for them on and off the pitch – an extremely good player.
“They haven’t had a lot of joy coming to the RDS in the last few years and they’ve got an extremely strong squad now. Going through those leaders I just mentioned, they’re going to be a very tough team to beat.”
Wayne Pivac (Scarlets) – “Saturday’s game against Leinster should be a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against a very good team away from home.
“For us, it’s about concentrating on what we’re doing and getting that right, It’s still very early. There are lots of improvements to come in this team and we have plenty to build on. Really for us, this time of the year there’s a lot of work to do on your own game especially coming in as a new coach.
“All rugby players love playing in front of a big crowd. Bigger the crowd, bigger the occasion and bigger the performance and hopefully we’ll be no different. No matter where you play, it’s great to play in front of a bumper crowd.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Leinster – Points: Jimmy Gopperth 7; Tries: Jack McGrath, Tom Denton 1 each; Scarlets – Points: Rhys Priestland 12; Tries: Gareth Davies 2
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, September 24, 2011 – Scarlets 10 Leinster 15, Parc y Scarlets
Friday, February 17, 2012 – Leinster 16 Scarlets 13, the RDS
Saturday, September 1, 2012 – Scarlets 45 Leinster 20, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, February 23, 2013 – Leinster 32 Scarlets 5, the RDS
Friday, September 6, 2013 – Scarlets 19 Leinster 42, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, November 30, 2013 – Leinster 36 Scarlets 19, the RDS
MATCH FACTS:
– Reigning GUINNESS PRO12 champions Leinster began their defence with a narrow loss in Glasgow and have only once before begun a new season with a pair of defeats: in 2003/04
– The Leinstermen are unbeaten in their last 19 fixtures at the RDS in all competitions since Ulster lowered their colours there in the PRO12 on March 30, 2013, a sequence which has included one draw
– The Scarlets began their campaign last Saturday with three league points following a draw with a try-scoring bonus point against Ulster
– The Scarlets’ only loss in their last six PRO12 encounters was to Cardiff Blues on ‘Judgement Day’ back in April
– The Welshmen have won just once on the road in the league since last November: 41-33 in Treviso in round 13 last season
– The Scarlets’ solitary victory over Leinster in their last 13 meetings in all competitions since 2009 came at the Parc y Scarlets in the PRO12 in September 2012, while the Llanelli outfit’s only win at the RDS came on their first visit in October 2007
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