Gleeson returns for Leinster

KEITH GLEESON is named in the Leinster team to meet Connacht at the RDS tonight (7.30pm).

Gleeson returns to the starting line-up for the Magners League derby and is one of four changes from the team that drew 16-16 with Ulster at Ravenhill last weekend.

Luke Fitzgerald starts on the left wing in a backline that includes Gordon D’Arcy, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey and Brian O’Driscoll, who captains the side. Christian Warner partners Chris Whitaker at half-back.

In the pack, Stan Wright comes into the front row after impressing as a replacement last week in place of Stephen Knoop. Leo Cullen continues his second-row partnership with Malcolm O’Kelly, while in the back row, Stephen Keogh lines up alongside Jamie Heaslip and Gleeson.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made two changes to his starting line-up.

There is a doubt about the fitness of captain Andrew Farley and back row Ray Ofisa, who are both struggling to overcome hamstring and calf injuries respectively. Bradley has named them in the side, subject to passing fitness tests this morning.

Prop Ronan Loughney is fit again after injuring his hamstring against Glasgow four weeks ago.

Leinster will be in search of a big win after the disappointment of being hauled back by Ulster last weekend.

But Leinster coach Michael Cheika is wary of derby games, particularly against Connacht.

“They’re a good side, well coached, and they will relish a trip to Dublin.

“I wouldn’t be counting on anything; nobody will be. It’s a case of having to wait and see how the guys coming back slot in; we’re a week away from another Heineken Cup campaign, so I guess guys will be a bit nervous.”

Bradley’s side are just one point away from the bottom of the table, with Ulster amazingly propping them up.

Still, Connacht rugby has come on in leaps and bounds under Bradley and a dedicated coaching team.

It won’t be easy for them in the RDS, but Leinster will be cautious after missing out on a big result in Ravenhill last week.

The boys from Dublin 4 could find it’s a hard night at the office.

LEINSTER: G. Dempsey, S. Horgan, B. O’Driscoll (captain), G. D’Arcy, L. Fitzgerald, C. Warner, C. Whitaker, O. Le Roux, B. Jackman, S. Wright, L. Cullen, M. O’Kelly, S. Keogh, J. Heaslip, K. Gleeson.

Replacements: B. Blaney, J. Francisco Gomez, C. Jowitt, S. Jennings. C. Willis, J. Sexton, R. Kearney.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; O Treviranus, M Deane, A Wynne, K Matthews; T Donnelly, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty, R Morris; M Swift, D Gannon/A Farley (C); R Ofisa/M McCarthy, J O’Connor, J Muldoon.

Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, D Gannon/A Farley/A Browne, R Ofisa/M McCarthy/C Rigney, C O’Loughlin, P Durcan, D Yapp.

* Tickets will be available from 5pm from Ticketmaster outlets on Anglesea Road and Simmonscourt Road, Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook) and Spar (Donnybrook).