An injury depleted Connacht needs to replicate their recent HEC form if they are to put it up to a very strong Leinster XV.
CONNACHT
Starting XV: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Tiernan O’Halloran, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion
1 Brett Wilkinson, 2 Sean Henry, 3 Rodney Ah You, 4 Michael Swift (C), 5 Craig Clarke, 6 Mata Fifita, 7 Jake Heenan, 8 George Naoupu
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 JP Cooney, 18 Ronan Loughney, 19 Aly Muldowney 20 Andrew Browne, 21 Paul O’Donohoe, 22 Darragh Leader, 23 Fionn Carr
Unavailable/Injured: Willie Faloon, Conor Finn, Eoin Griffin, Jason Harris-Wright, Eoin McKeon, Shane Layden, John Muldoon, Miah Nikora, Danie Poolman, Peter Reilly, James So’oialo, Kyle Tonetti, and Nathan White
Starting XV: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Tiernan O’Halloran, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion
1 Brett Wilkinson, 2 Sean Henry, 3 Rodney Ah You, 4 Michael Swift (C), 5 Craig Clarke, 6 Mata Fifita, 7 Jake Heenan, 8 George Naoupu
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 JP Cooney, 18 Ronan Loughney, 19 Aly Muldowney 20 Andrew Browne, 21 Paul O’Donohoe, 22 Darragh Leader, 23 Fionn Carr
Unavailable/Injured: Willie Faloon, Conor Finn, Eoin Griffin, Jason Harris-Wright, Eoin McKeon, Shane Layden, John Muldoon, Miah Nikora, Danie Poolman, Peter Reilly, James So’oialo, Kyle Tonetti, and Nathan White
Leinster
Starting XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Luke Fitzgerald, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan
1 Jack McGrath, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Michael Bent, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c)
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack O'Connell, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Mike McCarthy, 20 Shane Jennings, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Zane Kirchner
Starting XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Luke Fitzgerald, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan
1 Jack McGrath, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Michael Bent, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c)
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack O'Connell, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Mike McCarthy, 20 Shane Jennings, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Zane Kirchner
Venue: RDS, Dublin, Ireland
Date: Saturday, 26th October 2013
Kick-off: 18:45
TV Broadcasts: RTE Two, Rabo Matchday Live
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 23rd competition game)
MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD ON THE FORUM
Date: Saturday, 26th October 2013
Kick-off: 18:45
TV Broadcasts: RTE Two, Rabo Matchday Live
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 23rd competition game)
MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD ON THE FORUM
The Connacht line up this week looks a lot similar to the team that face Zebre last week in Parma. In the backline the only changes come in the back three, with the ever dependable Gavin Duffy replacing the injured James So'oialo, and Tiernan O'Halloran slotting into the vacancy left by the (also injured) Danie Poolman. The rest of the backs remain as they were against the Italians, with Ronaldson continuing to impress out of position at inside centre, and Marmion given another opportunity to put doubts in the minds of the Irish management.
The pack has only one change, again enforced by an injury, this time to Andrew Browne. His failure to fully train this week means that he is replaced by last week's substitute Mata Fifita. The silver lining though is that Browne is fit enough to take part in the match itself tomorrow, and takes the bench spot left behind by Mata's promotion.
The Leinster backline has four changes made versus the side that beat Castres last weekend, with a full swap of both half-backs and centres. In place of D'Arcy and Macken come Noel Reid and Luke Fitzgerald, a partnership who no doubt will take less of a direct route than the one that they replace. At out-half Madigan will be aching for his chance at retribution after being side-lined in favour of Jimmy Gopperth over the last couple of HEC weekends.
Up front for Leinster both of the props are replaced, as is Mike McCarthy. In their place comes McGrath, Bent and Roux respectively. The backrow is untouched, and presents a phenomenal challenge for their injury stricken counter-parts from the western province.
Worthy of a mention in its own right is the Leinster bench. No doubt Macca will come on to add brute force if required toward the end of the match, with Jennings accompanying him to spoil and win ball on the ground. Another very likely prospect is the introduction of Gopperth and the re-positioning of Madigan to inside centre, perhaps with Kirchner replacing Fitzgerald at outside centre. All in all a very powerful hand to be able to deal late in a provincial derby.
Connacht face an uphill battle on Saturday but are more than capable of a win if they have the rub of the green and they reproduce the form that they found against Saracens three weeks ago.
