MAGNERS LEAGUE: Leinster v Scarlets:FOR THE last home game of the season Leinster arrive at the RDS with most of the bells and whistles.
Apart from the storming Aussie, Rocky Elsom, the team shows just two changes from the side that beat Munster last week in the Heineken Cup semi-final. Jonathan Sexton comes into out-half for the injured Felipe Contepomi and the flanker the fans have already warmed to, Seán O’Brien, steps up for Elsom.
In part this line-up is for the fans and many will arrive just to see Brian O’Driscoll and company stretch their legs for the final time in Dublin before Leinster, Ireland and Lions squads take off to Scotland, the USA and South Africa.
Caution, however, that can be factored into a competitive match, must be top of Michael Cheika’s thoughts. The players will surely be there to win but you can bet they won’t be donating their bodies to hit the rucks like they did against Munster. The small matter of a meeting with Leicester at Murrayfield at the end of this month must be balanced with the team needing to have a competitive run-in to the European final.
Leinster clearly need to meet Leicester battle-hardened but also in rude health. Leinster also have a proud home record to defend against the Scarlets.
Their only defeat at the RDS over the last 21 games was 0-18 to Munster on September 28th and they have not been beaten by Welsh opposition in the league at any time this season.
Scarlets arrive with a growing losing streak after three defeats and their only win on the road this year was over bottom-placed Connacht in January. But they did blow Leinster away 52-23 at the beginning of last season. It’s a score line that few expect to be repeated.
Rob Kearney is not in the squad as he continues to recover from mumps, while Luke Fitzgerald joins Shane Horgan on the wing, with O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy in the centre. Isa Nacewa is again in at fullback.
Hooker Matthew Rees and out-half Stephen Jones both start tonight, with Jones named as captain instead of former Ireland flanker Simon Easterby, who is recovering from knee surgery.
“We can expect a huge challenge at the RDS. Leinster had a fabulous victory last weekend in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster,” said Scarlets coach Nigel Davies.
“It was a smashing game of rugby and they were very impressive indeed. They have a strong forward platform this season, which perhaps they’ve struggled with in years gone by and they can front up in that area. They have always had the quality backs that can damage teams.”
Over 12,5000 tickets have been sold for the match with a presentation due to be made to the departing Contepomi after the match.
LEINSTER: I Nacewa; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, C Whitaker; C Healy, B Jackman, S Wright, L Cullen (capt), M O'Kelly, S O'Brien, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Replacements:J Fogarty, R McCormack, D Toner, S Keogh, S Keogh, F McFadden, G Dempsey.
SCARLETS:D Evans; M Jones, G Evans, J Davies, L Williams; S Jones (capt), M Roberts; I Thomas, M Rees, P John, V Cooper, D Day, J Turnbull, J Edwards, D Lyons. Replacements: D Manu, K Owens, L Reed, R McCusker, G Cattle, R Priestland, R Higgitt.
Referee: N Paterson (SRU).
Verdict:Leinster win.
