Rugby: Contepomi goes into action for Leinster

ARGENTINEAN international Felipe Contepomi will make his debut for Leinster in their Celtic League tie against Neath/Swansea at the Gnoll on Saturday (5.30pm).

Contepomi links up with Brian O’Meara at half-back as Gary Ella finalises preparations for the Heineken Cup opener against Biarritz Olympique on December 6. Girvan Dempsey, Reggie Corrigan, Shane Byrne, Malcolm O’Kelly, Eric Miller, Victor Costello and Keith Gleeson are also named on the starting 15.

The downside for Leinster is that Shane Horgan and Emmet Byrne, in addition to long-term injury victim Denis Hickie, have been ruled out for this particular fixture.

Munster’s exploits in Europe have been recognised by English bookmakers, just a little over a week in advance of the new Heineken Cup campaign.

English club Wasps has been installed as joint 5/1 favourites alongside Toulouse. Munster and Stade Francais are available at 7/1, while Leinster are quoted generally at 12/1 behind Leicester and Gloucester, both at 10/1. Ulster, who lead the Celtic League, are an outside bet at 50/1.

David Humphreys returns to action, alongside Neil Doak and Simon Best, for the Northern province at Ravenhill against lowly Borders on Friday.

“There is very strong competition for places at the moment, but our squad will be greatly strengthened by the availability of these guys,” Ulster boss Alan Solomons said.

Ieustyn Harris, Thom Shanklin, Martyn Williams and Rhys Williams will be back from Welsh World Cup duty for Cardiff’s visit to Musgrave Park on Friday night.

But coach David Young conceded that Munster had even more strength in depth after the tournament down under.

“I think it’s fair to say that I would have preferred to meet Munster a fortnight ago.

“Like ourselves, they have had a fair share of injuries to contend with, but I’m sure they will start as favourites when they can produce guys out of a hat like Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer and Paul O’Connell, just to mention a few.”

Munster will name their team today, but coach Alan Gaffney is sure to name the strongest side possible to prepare for the opening Heineken Cup fixture away to Bourgoin.

LEINSTER v Neath/Swansea: G. Dempsey, J. McWeeney, B. O’Driscoll, D. Quinlan, G. D’Arcy, F. Contepomi, B. O’Meara, R. Corrigan (captain), D. Byrne, P. Coyle, M. O’Kelly, B. Gissing, E. Miller, V. Costello, K. Gleeson.

ULSTER v Borders: B. Cunningham, J. Topping, R. Constable, P. Steinmetz, T. Howe, D. Humphreys, N. Doak, S. Best, M. Sexton, R. Moore, M. Mustchin, R. Frost, A. Ward (captain), N. Best, R. Wilson.

MUNSTER (Probable side) v Cardiff. J. Staunton, J. Kelly, M. Mullins, J. Holland, A. Horgan, R. O’Gara, P. Stringer, M. Horan, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes, P. O’Connell, D. O’Callaghan, J. Williams (captain), A. Foley, D. Wallace.