Leinster determined to prove a point

GEORGE HOOK ruffled more than a few feathers after Munster’s narrow defeat to New Zealand last week when he claimed that Leinster would never have been able to produce a similar performance under the same straitened circumstances.

It may not be the All Blacks but, with eight front-line players missing for Saturday’s Magners League clash against the Dragons in the RDS, Leinster’s defence coach Kurt McQuilkin believes the game offers the province an opportunity to “put the record straight”.

“Having worked with the guys who weren’t involved in the internationals for the past few weeks, and throughout the season, we definitely have the players who will stand up and be counted,” said the former Irish international.

“I guess, in a way, that Munster display is a bit of a boost for us also, seeing what you can do when you get out there and stick it on the line. I don’t think Munster have a mortgage on passion.

“We’re very much as passionate as any other province in the country and when they pull on that blue jersey, they get out there and want to do it. In a way, it was an inspiration for us, especially for the guys not involved in the national scene.”

Cheika has rested internationals Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald for the visit of the Welsh side while captain Leo Cullen and Gordon D’Arcy have been ruled out until the New Year through injuries.

Also missing with injuries this week are Isa Nacewa, Felipe Contepomi and Shane Jennings, although none of that trio has yet been ruled out of the Heineken Cup meeting with Castres in Dublin seven days later.

Brian O’Driscoll does make the squad despite his recent workload in the autumn internationals but McQuilkin believes recent ‘A’ games against Saracens, Bristol and Ospreys should serve as ideal preparation for the less-established players looking to plug the gaps at the weekend.

“A lot of guys put their hands up for selection (in the ‘A’ games). It’s an ideal time for those guys on the periphery to have a shot at it — the likes of Simon Keogh and Stephen Keogh. Gary Brown played particularly well.

“A lot of guys put their hands up for selection for the Magners fixtures coming up. Fergus McFadden had a particularly good game against the Ospreys too. It’s all good. CJ (van der Linde) got a run, Stan (Wright) got a run. It kept them ticking over as well.”

Leinster return to action for the first time in a month knowing that they can ill afford another reversal in the Magners League, having lost their last three fixtures. The title however, has not yet been conceded.

“The Heineken is a sprint and the Magners is like a marathon for us so we definitely haven’t given up on it and being the reigning champions, we’ve got a lot more pride into that area of our game and know it’s a very viable competition for us.”

Meanwhile Connacht’s hopes of a first win against Ulster at Ravenhill in almost half a century have been dealt a blow with captain John Muldoon ruled out due to a calf injury.

The inspirational No 8 is also a concern for the back-to-back European Challenge Cup games against Italian side Rovigo next month.

Connacht have not won at Ravenhill since 1960 but Michael Bradley is boosted by the return from long-term injury of backs Keith Matthews and Tim Donnelly.

Centre Matthews has been out with a calf injury he suffered against Glasgow in September, while Donnelly is back after suffering a serious shoulder injury last season against Edinburgh. Connacht scrum-half Kieran Campbell, who spent seven seasons at Ravenhill, is confident the visitors can win.

“There is a lot of quality in both teams and both will be fired up for this one,” he said. “We have worked very hard during the break and are really looking forward to getting back in action.”

LEINSTER (squad): (v Dragons): Backs: C Whitaker, C Keane, P O’Donohoe, J Sexton, F McFadden, B O’Driscoll, E O’Malley, S Horgan, F Jones, Simon Keogh, G Brown, G Dempsey.

Forwards: C Healy, CJ van der Linde, S Wright, J Fogarty, B Jackman, B Blaney, D Toner, T Hogan, M O’Kelly, C Jowitt, S O’Brien, R Elsom, Stephen Keogh.

CONNACHT (squad): A Browne, K Campbell, F Carr, S Cronin, M Deane, T Donnelly, G Duffy, A Dunne, A Farley, A Flavin, J Hearty, I Keatley, R Loughney, J Lyne, K Matthews, M McCarthy, J Merrigan, R Morris, F Murphy, T Nathan, J O’Connor, R Ofisa, C Rigney, D Riordan, M Swift, B Wilkinson