RUGBY MAGNERS LEAGUE:NATURALLY, IT was all Lions talk around Donnybrook yesterday, with a slight glance at the 27-man squad Leinster coach Michael Cheika has named, with Simon Keogh (dead leg) and CJ van der Linde (toe) still on the treatment table. Both men will miss Saturday's Magners League game against Glasgow at the RDS.
Keogh should recover in time for the historic Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster on May 2nd, but former Springbok prop van der Linde will struggle.
The Leinster squad gathered at the Riverview complex after training yesterday to watch the live announcement of the 37-man Lions touring party.
“We were off having food so we watched it like anyone else. Luke Fitzgerald and Jamie Heaslip disappeared into another room to watch it,” said Bernard Jackman.
“It’s great to have 14 Irish in it, that’s a massive achievement. For Quinny to get in might be a bit of a shock but his game against the Ospreys in the Heineken Cup was outstanding. He didn’t get as many opportunities during the Six Nations but his form for Munster was top class.
“I think it’s brilliant for Keith Earls as well, it’s a great opportunity. He’s kind of the young surprise packet player.
“And then for our own fellas obviously – Luke, Rob, Brian and Jamie – I’m delighted for them and maybe feeling a little bit sorry for Gordon (D’Arcy), but that’s the way it goes.
“There’s a lot of rugby to be played before that tour and a lot of guys have gone from not being in that squad originally to coming in on stand-by and going out and getting the opportunity, so maybe a couple more players will do that.”
Munster have yet to announce a squad for their meeting with Scarlets, but concerns have been allayed about Denis Leamy, who limped off last Saturday night in the 25-10 defeat of Connacht.
Coach Matt Williams has included Ulster’s solitary Lion, Stephen Ferris, in the 24-man squad to play Cardiff Blues on Friday night.
LEINSTER SQUAD:C Healy, R McCormack, J Fogarty, B Jackman, O le Roux, S Wright, L Cullen, T Hogan, D Toner, M O'Kelly, R Elsom, S Jennings, S O'Brien, J Heaslip, C Keane, P O'Donohoe, C Whitaker, F Contepomi, J Sexton, L Fitzgerald, G D'Arcy, F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, I Nacewa, G Dempsey, R Kearney.
ULSTER SQUAD:R Best, B Botha, N Brady, R Caldwell, T Court, R Diack, E O'Donoghue, C Del Fava, S Ferris, C Henry, M McCullough, D Pollock, B Young, D Cave, S Danielli, I Humphreys, P Marshall, T Nagusa, N O'Connor, C Schifcofske, A Trimble, P Wallace, I Whitten, I Boss.
