Leinster crank up firepower for Dragons
UNBEATEN Leinster have been boosted by the return of Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour and Jamie Osborne from Ireland duty ahead of this evening United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons at the RDS (kick-off 7.35pm, RTÉ2).
The trio of talented backs have yet to see any action in the Six Nations but they will look to impress head coach Andy Farrell ahead of the third-round game against Italy on February 25. The versatile O’Brien starts at full-back, Larmour returns to his customary right-wing spot while Osborne, the uncapped rookie who won a maiden Six Nations call-up last month, lines up at inside centre.
Harry Byrne gets a rare start at No10 with Johnny Sexton and older brother Ross away on international duty and he is joined by the vastly-experienced Luke McGrath at scrum-half.
Leo Cullen has named a youthful tightfive, including rookie loosehead Michael Milne who has also returned from Ireland camp, as well as Wexford-born lock Brian Deeny. Rhys Ruddock, skipper for the evening, leads an imposing backrow alongside Scott Penny and Max Deegan.
There is a welcome return for Jason Jenkins on a powerful bench, featuring Ireland international flanker Will Connors along with promising academy products Jack Boyle and Charlie Tector. Cullen’s squad will be aiming to make it 14 wins from 14 in the league this season. Meanwhile, Connacht head coach Andy Friend has Cian Prendergast back on board ahead of today’s visit to Zebre (kick-off 3.05pm, TG4). The Ireland blindside is back to bolster a pack which also welcomes back Denis Buckley and Dylan Tierney-Martin. Josh Murphy moves back into the second row and is joined by Athlone native Niall Murray, who is set to win his 50th cap for the province. Jack Carty captains the side and links up with Caolin Blade, another Ireland returnee, in an exciting half-back combination. Tom Farrell and Cathal Forde link up in midfield with Tiernan O’Halloran, John Porch and Diarmuid Kilgallen forming a potent back three.
A win in Italy is vital for Connacht, who are looking to break into the top eight and secure a place in the knockout stages. LEINSTER: J O’Brien; J Larmour, L Turner, J Osborne, D Kearney; H Byrne, L McGrath; M Milne, J McKee, M Ala’alatoa; R Molony, B Deeny; R Ruddock (capt), S Penny, M Deegan. REPS: L Barron, J Boyle, T Clarkson, B Deeney, J Jenkins, W Connors, N McCarthy, C Tector, R Russell. CONNACHT: T O’Halloran; D Kilgallen, T Farrell, C Forde, J Porch; J Carty (capt), C Blade; D Buckley, D Tierney-Martin, J Aungier; J Murphy, N Murray; C Prendergast, C Oliver, J Butler. REPS: E De Buitlear, J Duggan, S Illo, D Murray, S Hurley-Langton, K Marmion, T Daly, A Byrne.