Ahead of the new season’s first interprovincial clashes, Leo Cullen is preparing his troops for a tough battle up front with Edinburgh as Leinster look to make it back-to-back home wins in the GUINNESS PRO14.
GUINNESS PRO14: Saturday, September 22
LEINSTER (2nd, Con B) v EDINBURGH (5th, Con B), the RDS, 7.35pm (live eir Sport 1/Premier Sports/highlights TG4)
Team News: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made seven personnel changes and one positional switch to the team that put 52 points on the Dragons. Jordan Larmour wins his 25th cap for his native province, moving to full-back from the right wing, with Fergus McFadden donning the number 14 jersey and James Lowe stationed on the left.
It is as you were in midfield with Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw combining again at centre, while captain Jonathan Sexton leads the team on the occasion of his 150th provincial cap, supported by Luke McGrath at half-back.
Cian Healy makes his second start of the season at loosehead prop with James Tracy and Michael Bent also coming into a completely new front row. James Ryan is joined by Devin Toner in the second row, and Max Deegan, who matches Larmour in winning his 25th cap, continues in an unchanged back row along with Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.
Returning Ireland international Dan Leavy, who features on a strong home bench, is in line to make his first appearance of the season for Leinster having recovered from a shoulder injury. Match tickets, priced from €;25 for adults, are available to buy online here.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh boss Richard Cockerill has made nine changes to the team that overcame Connacht 17-10 in the second round. Several internationals, including Ross Ford, Allan Dell and Magnus Bradbury, are rotated into the matchday squad.
Full-back Dougie Fife completes the back-three alongside Duhan van der Merwe and Scotland Sevens star Jamie Farndale, who makes his first appearance for Edinburgh since his debut as a replacement against Cardiff Blues in April 2012.
Chris Dean returns from injury to partner summer recruit Juan Pablo Socino, who makes his first competitive start for the club. South African Jaco van der Walt continues at half-back, joined by Sean Kennedy who makes his first start of the new season.
A new look front-row sees 110-times capped Scotland hooker Ross Ford pack down alongside Allan Dell and Simon Berghan, while Fraser McKenzie – named as captain – and Ben Toolis form the second row. Bradbury, who appeared off the bench against Connacht, lines out at number 8, with Jamie Ritchie and Luke Hamilton completing the loose forwards.
Replacement hooker Dave Cherry could make his debut for Edinburgh in Dublin. The former Scotland Under-20 international joined from French Fédérale 2 side Stade Niçois on a one-year-deal in the summer.
LEINSTER: Jordan Larmour; Fergus McFadden, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Devin Toner, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Peter Dooley, Tadhg Furlong, Mick Kearney, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Joe Tomane.
EDINBURGH: Dougie Fife; Jamie Farndale, Chris Dean, Juan Pablo Socino, Duhan van der Merwe; Jaco van der Walt, Sean Kennedy; Allan Dell, Ross Ford, Simon Berghan, Fraser McKenzie (capt), Ben Toolis, Luke Hamilton, Jamie Ritchie, Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: Dave Cherry, Pierre Schoeman, Murray McCallum, Callum Hunter-Hill, Luke Crosbie, Nathan Fowles, Simon Hickey, James Johnstone.
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Chris Busby (Ireland)
Television Match Official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Leinster to win: 1/20; Draw: 50/1; Edinburgh to win: 9/1
Pre-Match Quotes: Leo Cullen (Leinster) – “They have a strong squad, Edinburgh, I think that’s the first thing to note. They’ve picked a very big front five so it gives you a fair idea of what they intend to do there. The back row they have is very aggressive and they’ve a lot of good footballers and pace.
“They’re strong, there’s not much between the players they have and I think it’s something he’ll try and do as well, create that competition and make sure nobody feels safe. That’s something I’d imagine Richard (Cockerill) is a big fan of.
“It’s another opportunity for guys to showcase what they can do. I thought we had a great crowd against the Dragons, so hopefully we will see more of the same on Saturday. The players know what is at stake with this run of games that we are on. We have Connacht away next week, Munster the week after at the Aviva and then we are into Europe.
“Players know that based on the next few weeks, it will have a knock-on effect what takes place in November with Ireland. There is so much at stake in these games. Players need to understand they need to perform well in these games if they are to be in the frame for the upcoming games.”
Richard Cockerill (Edinburgh) – “It’s going to be a good challenge for us. We’re going to go there, throw everything at Leinster and see where we get to. We pushed them close there last year and were probably unlucky not to get anything out the game.
“They’re a great side and had a good win against the Dragons last weekend. It’s going to be a tough evening for us but one we look forward to. Leinster are and have the best team in Europe and we’ve got to go there and give it a bash.”
Top Scorers – 2018/19 GUINNESS PRO14: Leinster – Points: Ross Byrne 16; Tries: Jamison Gibson-Park 3; Edinburgh – Points: Simon Hickey 25; Tries: Blair Kinghorn, James Johnstone, Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman, Tom Brown 1 each
2018/19 TEAM FORM: Leinster – Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, 11 Points; W 33-32 v Cardiff Blues (away), L 23-21 v Scarlets (away), W 52-10 v Dragons (home); Edinburgh – Played 2, Won 1, Lost 2, 6 Points; L 17-13 v Ospreys (away), L 30-29 v Ulster (away), W 17-10 v Connacht (home)
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, September 4, 2015 – Edinburgh 16 Leinster 9, Meggetland
Friday, April 15, 2016 – Leinster 30 Edinburgh 23, the RDS
Friday, September 16, 2016 – Edinburgh 20 Leinster 33, BT Murrayfield
Friday, February 17, 2017 – Leinster 39 Edinburgh 10, the RDS
Friday, September 29, 2017 – Leinster 21 Edinburgh 13, the RDS
Friday, February 9. 2018 – Edinburgh 29 Leinster 24, Myreside
MATCH FACTS:
– Leinster’s only defeat in the GUINNESS PRO14 since April was 23-21 at the Scarlets in round 2
– The Leinstermen have lost just once at the RDS in any tournament since the 2017 PRO12 semi-final: 17-15 to Benetton Rugby in round 20 last season
– The only previous Scottish side to have beaten Leinster at the RDS was Glasgow Warriors in September 2011
– Edinburgh ended a three-match losing run in the PRO14 with their home win over Connacht last weekend
– The Scotsmen have not won away from home since beating Connacht at the Sportsground in March
– Each side won their respective home game when the two teams met last season, while Edinburgh have not beaten Leinster on their own turf since a trip to Donnybrook in November 2005
This website uses cookies.
Read More