Heaslip says Lions ready to roar

JAMIE HEASLIP is confident Leinster can put their poor start to the season behind them this evening by recording a much-needed win against Connacht in the Magners League at the Sportsground (6.30pm).

Michael Cheika’s team have lost two of their opening three games this season but Leinster have recorded three wins from their last four visits to the west.

They also finished on top in both their meetings with Michael Bradley’s troops last season but Connacht have proven a tougher nut to crack this campaign, having won two and drawn one of their four games.

“Playing against Connacht in the Sportsground is a challenge for any team that goes there and (wants to) come away with a win,” said Heaslip who scored a try in Leinster’s 21-9 victory at the venue last December.

“Connacht are always going to stick it to you, especially in the pack and, with the home support, that’s going to be tough to overcome.”

Leinster go into the match boosted by a significant injection of talent. Brian O’Driscoll returns to captain the side for his first start of the season alongside Shane Horgan — who he partners at centre — and Girvan Dempsey.

Teenage sensation Luke Fitzgerald retains his place on the wing, while both Gordon D’Arcy and Malcolm O’Kelly have been named on a bench which includes ex-Connacht duo Ronan McCormack and Bernard Jackman.

How will Leinster cope with the large scale alterations to the side in such a small period of time? “I don’t think there will be any problem,” said the number eight. “The lads have been around for a number of weeks now so it’s not like their first week back. They’ve been in and out (before) so it won’t make any changes to the team (performance) at all.”

Whatever the squad, Cheika will be demanding a much-improved performance on the one that saw Llanelli collect the bonus point after only 23 minutes at Stradey Park last Saturday.

Leinster’s problems were many that night with some laissez-faire defending and sloppy lineout play being the two biggest concerns.

“They played well in that first 20 minutes and throughout the whole game,” said Heaslip.

“They have a strong pack and a mobile pack as well but we didn’t help ourselves in that first quarter of the game.

“All credit where it’s due. A lot of teams will come up against some trouble against them. I wouldn’t underestimate them whatsoever.

“I think once we’ve corrected a number of mistakes we’ve made in the last couple of games we’re going to be firing on all cylinders and hopefully we’ll come away (from Connacht) with the win.”

Connacht captain John Fogarty expects a tough challenge.

“It’s a big ask. Leinster are a fantastic team with a great backline. However we have been performing well and every team we face is a challenge. The Ospreys, with all their internationals, was another big ask, but we came out with the result.”

Coach Michael Bradley has made only one change to his starting XV with Darren Yapp coming in for the injured John Hearty, who was the victim of a high tackle last weekend. He will be hoping that Leinster do not have it all their own way, particularly up front.

“Last week we snatched a draw against Edinburgh. Two wins and a draw from four games is a good result to date.”

LEINSTER: G Dempsey, L Fitzgerald, B O’Driscoll, S Horgan, D Hickie, F Contepomi, C Whitaker; R Corrigan, H Vermaas, W Green, T Hogan, O Finegan, S Keogh, K Gleeson, J Heaslip.

Replacements: R McCormack, B Jackman, M O’Kelly, N Ronan, G Easterby, C Warner, G D’Arcy.

CONNACHT: D Riordan; M Mostyn, D Yapp, G Williams, K Matthews; M McHugh, C Keane; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty, B Sturgess; D Gannon, A Farley; J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney.

Replacements: A Flavin, R Hogan, M Swift, R Ofisa, T Tierney, P Warwick, C McPhillips.