MOLONY IN A ROSS TO THE TOP

Rising Blues star to captain side

ROSS MOLONY will captain Leinster for the first time in the PRO12 tonight, as Leo Cullen gives Leinster fans a taste of the future. While Mike Ross, 37, will make one of his last – if not the last – appearances at the RDS after announcing his intention to retire at the end of this season, there will be plenty of eyes on the players who have most of their career ahead of them. UCD scrum-half Nick Mccarthy will make his first start for Leinster, with Luke Mcgrath rested and Jamison Gibson Park on the bench, while Tom Daly will win only his ninth cap in a youthful midfield alongside Rory O’loughlin. The pair are two of 13 changes to the side that lost last Sunday’s Champions Cup semifinal to Clermont. Flying winger Adam Byrne makes a welcome return to the starting 15, while fellow winger Fergus Mcfadden is one of just two players to retain his place from Lyon just five days ago. The strength in depth in Leinster’s back row is on show again with Jack Conan – who also started in Lyon – joined by Josh van der Flier and Dominic Ryan, with Ireland international Dan Leavy on the bench. There’s plenty of skill and experience in reserve with Joey Carbery, Richardt Strauss and Jack Mcgrath among the replacements. Molony, who came off the bench in France, will captain the side from the second row and the youngster is desperate to take out the frustration of Sunday’s defeat on Glasgow tonight. “One of the main messages after we got back on Monday was to use the hurt from Sunday to push on and win the PRO12,” said Molony. “You always want to be involved in games like the PRO12 semi-finals, especially having been involved on Sunday. “It was incredible, it was so exciting even in the warm up, the noise. It’s probably one of the toughest, if not the toughest, places to go in Europe, with that crowd.” Despite qualifying for the Champions Cup quarter-final, Glasgow need a rugby miracle to join Leinster in the PRO12 playoffs, but they come to Dublin with a strong side, with five Scotland internationals on the bench, and plenty of try scoring ability in the side. Tommy Seymour (left), who scored four against Leinster earlier this season, will celebrate his recent Lions call-up with a 100th appearance for the club.