Leinster pull out the stops for Ulster

LEINSTER will roll out two of the big names for tomorrow night’s Celtic League clash with leaders Ulster at Donnybrook (5.30).

Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan have been named in the starting side for the game, and coach Michael Cheika is also likely to unleash Gordon D’Arcy and Eric Miller from the bench for the first time this season.

Both D’Arcy and Miller have been named on a strong replacements bench alongside David Blaney, Des Dillon, Brian O’Meara, Kieran Lewis and ex-Ulster prop Ronan McCormack.

Horgan will partner skipper Felipe Contepomi at centre, while New Zealand second row Bryce Williams will make his first start for the team having arrived in Dublin at the start of the week.

Williams will partner Ben Gissing in the second row and faces an immediate challenge against Justin Harrison, the Australian second row who claimed victory for the Wallabies on the Lions tour of 2001 by snaffling possession away from Martin Johnson in the dying seconds of the decisive third test.

Leinster, on foot of a huge demand for Heineken Cup fixtures at the RDS, should also have firm support at Donnybrook tomorrow, based on the fact that the two teams are heading the challenge for the title.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika expects it to be tough and tight. “It will be my first experience of an Irish derby, and nobody is under any illusions that it will be anything other than a really close contest. We’re looking forward to it,” he said.

Felipe Contepomi will again captain Leinster in the absence of injured Brian O’Driscoll, while Robert Kearney, last year’s Irish Examiner rugby sports star of the year (from the previous season), has been given another opportunity to shine on the wing. Kearney has scored in each of his three Celtic League games to date.

Meanwhile, Ulster, whilst delaying the formation of the team, have announced a 36-man squad for the Heineken Cup; a squad that includes as required a ten-person front row pool.

Leinster expect to name their squad today - after Cheika had an opportunity to speak to a couple of excluded players before making it public.

LEINSTER: G. Dempsey, D. Hickey, S. Horgan, F. Contepomi (captain), R. Kearney, C. Warner, G. Easterby, R. Corrigan, B. Jackman, W. Green, B. Williams, B. Gissing, C. Potts, J. Heaslip, K. Gleeson.

Replacements: R. McCormack, D. Blaney, D. Dillon, E. Miller, B. O’Meara, K. Lewis, G. D’Arcy,

ULSTER Heineken Cup squad. Forwards. Justin Fitzpatrick, Bryan Young, Niall Conlon, Rory Best, Paul Shields, Nigel Brady, Simon Best, Rod Moore, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Andress, Justin Harrison, Rowan Frost, Matt McCullough, Henry Head, Ryan Caldwell, Neil McMillan, Campbell Feather, Neil Best, Stephen Ferris, Roger Wilson.

Backs. Issac Boss, Kieran Campbell, Reece Spee, David Humphreys, Adam Larkin, Paddy Wallace, Kevin Maggs, Paul Steinmetz, Shane Stewart, Andrew Trimble, Jonny Bell, Tommy Bowe, James Topping, Tyrone Howe, Andrew Maxwell, Bryn Cunningham.

*The Leinster “A” team to face Ulster “A” at Navan RFC to-night (KO: 7pm) has been named.

The side includes Emmett Byrne, John Lyne and Niall Ronan in an, experienced pack. In the backline, Brian O’Riordan partners Eoghan Hickey at half-back with James Norton (right) and Brendan Burke (left) named on either wing. David McAllister partners Gary Brown at centre. The side will be captained by second row Simon Crawford.

Leinster “A” team: R. McCarron, J. Norton, G. Brown, D. McAllister, B. Burke, E. Hickey, B. O’Riordan, J. Lyne, C. Geoghegan, E. Byrne, s. Crawford (captain), D. Toner, C. Jowitt, K. McLaughlin, N. Ronan.

Replacements: N. Duffy, J. Wickham, G. O’Meara, S. Bradshaw, a. Dunlop, C. Willis, G. Stafford, S. Gissing.

Leinster “A” 2005/2006 fixtures:

Monday, October 10th - Cambridge University v Leinster (Grange Road Cambridge, 2pm); Either November 21st / November 23rd - Munster v Leinster (venue, time tbc); Saturday, November 27th - Oxford University v Leinster (Iffley Road, 2pm).