Leinster are back in front of their home fans for their second successive week, beginning the New Year by hosting Zebre, the GUINNESS PRO12’s bottom side, as they look to strength their position in the top four.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, January 6
LEINSTER (3rd) v ZEBRE (12th), the RDS, 7.35pm (live TG4)
Team News: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made seven changes to the team that accounted for Ulster in round 12 last weekend as his side finished out the calendar year unbeaten at their Ballsbridge home.
In the backs, three internationals return with Zane Kirchner taking up his place at full-back. Adam Byrne and Rory O’Loughlin continue on the wings.
The second change sees Robbie Henshaw come in to partner Garry Ringrose in the centre. The final switch behind the scrum is at half-back where the fit-again Jonathan Sexton captains the province from number 10 and partners Luke McGrath who continues at scrum half.
In the pack, Cian Healy and James Tracy start alongside Michael Bent who will win his 75th cap for the province. Devin Toner and Hayden Triggs are again selected as the second row combination but there are two final additions in the back row.
Dan Leavy starts at blindside flanker, with Jack Conan coming in at the base of the scrum. Sean O’Brien starts again this week but with Leavy in the number 6 shirt, the Tullow man swaps across and fills the openside berth in the final PRO12 game before attention turns to the Champions Cup.
On the bench, experienced hooker Sean Cronin is in line to win his 125th cap for the province should he be introduced at some stage.
Leinster v Zebre tickets are still available at leinsterrugby.ie/tickets and with other events also on in and around the RDS this evening, supporters are advised that parking will be at a premium and that public transport should be used where possible.
Meanwhile, Zebre boss Gianluca Guidi has made seven changes following last Saturday’s 24-19 defeat at home to Scottish side Edinburgh.
With four of the alterations coming in the back-line, former New Zealand Sevens captain Kurt Baker switches to full-back with Italy international Edoardo Padovani starting at out-half instead of the rested Carlo Canna.
In the pack, Federico Ruzza takes over from the injured Johan Meyer at openside flanker, while prop Pietro Ceccarelli completes an all-international front row alongside Andrea Lovotti and Tommaso d’Apice.
On the bench, flanker Maxime Mbanda is back in after recovering from the injury he sustained while on duty with the Azzurri against the All Blacks in November. Zebre’s injury list currently includes Faialaga Afamasaga, Dion Berryman, Tommaso Boni. Andrea Manici, Jacopo Sarto and Kayle van Zyl, while Giulio Bisegni and Oliviero Fabiani miss out through suspension.
LEINSTER: Zane Kirchner; Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Rory O’Loughlin; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Devin Toner, Hayden Triggs, Dan Leavy, Sean O’Brien, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong, Rhys Ruddock, Jamie Heaslip, Jamison Gibson Park, Ross Byrne, Noel Reid.
ZEBRE: Kurt Baker; Mattia Bellini, Matteo Pratichetti, Tommaso Castello, Lloyd Greeff; Edoardo Padovani, Marcello Violi; Andrea Lovotti, Tommaso d’Apice, Pietro Ceccarelli, Gideon Koegelenberg, George Biagi (capt), Derick Minnie, Federico Ruzza, Dries van Schalkwyk.
Replacements: Carlo Festuccia, Andrea de Marchi, Guillermo Roan, Joshua Furno, Maxime Mbanda, Guglielmo Palazzani, Giovanbattista Venditti, Serafin Bordoli.
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Simon Rees (Wales), Jonny Erskine (Ireland)
Television Match Official: Neil Hennessy (Wales)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Leinster to win: 1/200; Draw: 100/1; Zebre to win: 60/1
Pre-Match Quotes: Luke McGrath (Leinster) – “Like we talked about this week, we’ve two massive (European) games in the coming weeks but we’re all focused on this week and putting up a good performance against Zebre. We all have to put our hands up for selection next week but it all starts with this Friday.
“Johnny (Sexton) bosses you around the place really! No, it’s great to have him back. He’s been training away the last few weeks and he’s very eager to go.
“From a ‘9’ point of view, it’s great to have him outside. He’s constantly talking to you and giving out to you. It’s great to have him in the team. We’re all delighted to have him back.”
Top Scorers – 2016/17 GUINNESS PRO12: Leinster – Points: Isa Nacewa 78; Tries: Adam Byrne 5; Zebre – Points: Carlo Canna 66; Tries: Giovanbattista Venditti, Dries van Schalkwyk 4 each
2016/17 TEAM FORM: Leinster – Played 12, Won 9, Lost 3, 41 Points; W 20-8 v Benetton Treviso (home), L 33-25 v Glasgow Warriors (away), W 33-20 v Edinburgh (away), W 31-19 v Ospreys (home), W 16-13 v Cardiff Blues (away), W 25-14 v Munster (home), W 24-13 v Connacht (home), W 33-10 v Zebre (away), L 38-29 v Scarlets (away), W 28-15 v Newport Gwent Dragons (home), L 29-17 v Munster (away), W 22-7 v Ulster (home); Zebre – Played 10, Won 1, Lost 9, 9 Points; L 59-5 v Ospreys (away), L 11-6 v Newport Gwent Dragons (away), L 23-21 v Cardiff Blues (home), L 49-5 v Munster (away), L 33-28 v Glasgow Warriors (home), W 19-14 v Edinburgh (away), L 33-10 v Leinster (home), L 31-24 v Scarlets (home), L 23-12 v Benetton Treviso (away), L 24-19 v Edinburgh (home)
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, March 21, 2014 – Leinster 27 Zebre 0, the RDS
Saturday, October 11, 2014 – Zebre 3 Leinster 20, Stadio XXV Aprile
Friday, February 20, 2015 – Leinster 29 Zebre 8, the RDS
Friday, February 12, 2016 – Leinster 52 Zebre 0, the RDS
Sunday, February 28, 2016 – Zebre 10 Leinster 27, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Saturday, November 5, 2016 – Zebre 10 Leinster 33, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
MATCH FACTS:
– Leinster’s only defeat in their last five fixtures was 25-17 in Munster on St. Stephen’s Day
– Leinster have lost just once at the RDS in the GUINNESS PRO12 since March 2013: 16-14 to the Newport Gwent Dragons in February 2015
– Zebre have won just one game in the PRO12 this season, 19-14 in Edinburgh in round 7, but they have also picked up five losing bonus points along the way
– Leinster have a played 9, won 9 record against Zebre and have won all thirteen previous games against Italian opposition at the RDS with only Aironi (in February 2011) gaining any league points from those encounters
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