Leinster ‘in good place’ for double title bid, says McQuilkin
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s League clash away to the Scarlets (Parc y Scarlets, 5.30pm) McQuilkin is satisfied with their progress on two fronts.
“In terms of a mid-term report, I would say that we’re in a good place. Certainly compared to last year, we have improved and have achieved some new goals, namely in reaching the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.”
He vowed: “We’re going well, but we know that we can do a lot better. It can be a fairly disjointed period in the calendar (during the Six Nations), but we will welcome back some of the players from Ireland camp while a number of younger players will also be putting their hands up for selection.”
Though Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll is rested, Gordon D’Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Shane Jennings and Malcolm O’Kelly are named in the strong squad for Saturday’s clash. Cheika has also included Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien and Jonathan Sexton who impressed in the Ireland ‘A’ win over Scotland last weekend along with Felipe Contepomi, Rocky Elsom and Isa Nacewa in his 25-man selection.
The Scarlets are without hooker Matthew Rees, blind-side flanker Dafydd Jones, outside-half Stephen Jones and winger Mark Jones who are all retained by the national set-up. Injuries to Rhys Priestland, Dafydd James and Rob Higgitt will be assessed before their squad is finalised. Leinster lie third in the table on 29 points with the Scarlets in fourth on 26.
Continued McQuilkin: “We will take positives from last year’s away win in Stradey Park (24-10). The conditions that day were treacherous, with gusting wind and driving rain all evening, but we dug deep and our back and forward were faultless.
“Our defence was strong that day and we will need to have our ‘A’ game this week because we will also be mindful of our heavy defeat to them at the RDS last season.
“The thing about facing a squad of the quality of Llanelli is that you have to be on top of your game to get a result. They are a class outfit and they will put it up to you, so it’s a test that we’re going to have face with great intensity.
“They’re a side that likes to play in your face. They come at you and have threats all over the park. Regan King is dangerous and their back three is very sharp. Simon Easterby brings great experience up front and is a proven international player, so we will need to be positive against them.”
LEINSTER (squad v Scarlets): Forwards (15): C Healy, R McCormack, B Blaney, J Fogarty, S Knoop, S Wright, T Hogan, C Jowitt, M O’Kelly, D Toner, R Elsom, K McLaughlin, S Jennings, S O’Brien, S Keogh. Backs (10): S Keogh, P O’Donohoe, I Nacewa, J Sexton, G Brown, F Contepomi, G D’Arcy, F McFadden, S Horgan, G Dempsey
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