SEXTON’S UP FOR A START
JOHNNY Sexton is in line for his seasonal bow in Leinster’s trip to Ulster on Friday night.
The 37-year-old could reunite with Ireland halfback partner Jamison Gibson-Park, who was due to play in last Friday’s home victory over Benetton before sickness ruled him out.
Another pair of Ireland’s heroes from the New Zealand tour series win could also feature for the first time in this campaign.
James Ryan was also pencilled in to face Benetton, only to feel his hamstring during the Captain’s Run, while Tadhg Furlong is available.
James Lowe and Hugo Keenan, meanwhile, remain sidelined through injury.
After a pair of opening wins against Italian opposition, the Blues are up and running against the backdrop of strong speculation that senior coach Stuart Lancaster has agreed to join Racing 92 in the summer.
Lancaster is scheduled for media duties this afternoon and it is possible confirmation of the move will come before that.
Head coach Leo Cullen is staying focused on team affairs and predicts the Ulster clash will demand a step up in class.
“Definitely,” he said. “There’s a great rivalry there always.
“The derby games, that’s what you want: you want the players battling it out against each other.
“It’s an unusual start to the season when you think some guys haven’t got up and running at all yet in our squad and in round three we’re into a big derby game away from home, so it’s a great challenge.
Physical
“Benetton do present a good physical test for you; at times there we got turned over at the ruck — that’s where we lose our way.
“And Ulster will be strong in that area — they’re strong in the contact area and they talk about it a lot themselves, and clearly place a lot of emphasis on it.
“How we are in that facet of the game will clearly have a large bearing on the outcome.”
Ulster will approach the fixture in confident mood having beaten Leinster twice last season.
Cullen admits that adds an edge to proceedings.
“Any time we lose it tends to sting,” he said.
“That’s because it means a lot to lads. When you’re involved in the team and are wearing the jersey, it means a lot.
“Both teams were affected at different stages of the season, that’s why I say it’s unusual, straight into such a big game.
“But it’s great to focus minds as well and it’s important for our guys in many cases to recover after the first game.
“Maybe the fact it was a Friday game and they can rest up over the weekend and then get back into action on Monday, recovering over the weekend is probably the big thing.”