Leinster home in on RDS victory

THE buzz and excitement once the sole preserve of Munster’s home games in the Heineken Cup is likely to be transferred to the RDS this afternoon (5.15) when Leinster take on Glasgow Warriors in a must-win encounter.

Leinster made what is now deemed an inspired decision to move European ties from Lansdowne Road on the basis that the national stadium was just too big. The tidy, but cramped, Donnybrook, was too small.

Ireland international winger Denis Hickie, who makes his first start in 12 weeks, believes there is no going back. Hickie has noted the upsurge in interest and believes that has come about because it’s no longer solely about the game but about providing facilities for the fans and their families.

“More and more, home advantage counts,” says Hickey. “When you play away from home, you have to maybe play a bit differently because of the pressures that are created by the home team lifting its game. Crowds do play a bit part. Our move to the RDS does seem to have been very popular. Now, people pay good money, and they want a bit more of a day out of it rather than just coming for the match and going home. The facilities at the RDS allows us to develop that, maybe laying on a bit more for the spectators.

“It’s not the most important thing for the players; we concentrate on our job which is to play as well as we can and, hopefully, to win, but our crowds this year have been much better than before, our support great, and that does have a positive effect on the way guys play.”

Hickie is set to make his 96th appearance but the most significant honour of the day is reserved for Girvan Dempsey, who wins his 100th cap.

“It will be a proud moment for me, said Dempsey. “I don’t think I would ever have dreamed of getting 100 caps when I made my debut back in 1996 away in Treviso.

“At that time, there were only a few Leinster games during the season but since the advent of the Heineken Cup and Celtic League there are a lot more fixtures in the calendar.”

“As regards highlights, I really enjoyed the home game against Bourgoin this year. The win away in Montferrand - our first ever on French soil - was memorable. In fact the tighter the game we have won over the years, the more satisfying the result.”

Yet, Dempsey is fearful it might be too close for comfort today. “Glasgow have a big pack, especially their back row. Dan Parks had an off day in the reverse fixture in Scotland but his kicking has been exemplary since.

“We’re aiming to reproduce the form we showed over the Christmas. Last week’s defeat by Llanelli has helped to refocus our minds on the huge task ahead. In a sense, this is a semi final for us. We’re not where people think we are - and we know that. We know we’re a good team, but now it’s up to us to show it.”

Brian O’Driscoll captains Leinster and he is partnered in the centre by Gordon D’Arcy while the tournament’s top points scorer, Argentinean Felipe Contepomi, starts at out-half. Hickie starts on the left wing while Bryce Williams partners Malcolm O’Kelly at second row and Rob Kearney returns to the squad after injury.

Glasgow’s back row forward John Beattie is suffering from a respiratory infection and is unavailable so captain Jon Petrie moves to No.8 and John Barclay starts at openside flanker with Gregor Hayter coming onto the bench. In the second row, Dan Turner starts and Tim Barker takes his place on the bench.

Coach Hugh Campbell said: “Leinster are sitting third in the Celtic League and have been performing exceptionally well in the Heineken Cup and are still very much in contention for a quarter final place so this will be a challenging game that we are eagerly anticipating.

“Playing against a full strength Leinster team in Dublin is an exciting prospect and we want to build on the improvements we’ve made in recent weeks.”