Cheika pleased as understudies make strong challenge

WHILE his “galacticos” had been labouring at the Rugby World Cup in France, Michael Cheika’s set of replacement backs have been cutting a swathe through the first two rounds of the Magners League.

The eye-catching form of Gary Brown — who wins his 50th Leinster cap tonight — Luke Fitzgerald, Robert Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Ross McCarron and Jonathan Sexton left Cheika admitting this week that selection will be “tough to manage” when Brian O’Driscoll and company return for duty.

Buoyed by their bonus point 30-19 win in Arms Park last week, Leinster will be favourites to overcome Llanelli Scarlets at the RDS tonight (7.30pm). Cillian Willis comes in for his first start of the season at scrum-half in place of the injured Chris Whitaker. Up front, Argentina international Juan Francisco Gomez starts at prop with Keith Gleeson coming into an all Ireland international back-row alongside Shane Jennings, at six, and Jamie Heaslip.