D’Arcy gets chance to give Kidney food for thought
Recently recovered from a long-term injury, D’Arcy has had to make do with a replacements brief in recent weeks while Paddy Wallace has partnered Brian O’Driscoll in the Irish midfield.
Wallace finally tucked 80 minutes under his belt against England last Saturday after two injury-ravaged outings against France and Italy but, with Ireland neglecting to use their back line to any great extent, the Ulsterman had little opportunity to catch the eye.
D’Arcy had been O’Driscoll’s regular lieutenant since the 2004 Six Nations before an horrific arm break in last year’s tournament stalled his career. Friday’s date with the Ospreys will mark another step on the road to complete recovery and he also started Leinster’s win away to the Scarlets the weekend prior to the England game.
He won’t be alone in his attempts to impress Kidney. Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey were also named in the province’s squad yesterday while Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O’Kelly and Shane Jennings are all likely to feature in the pack.
Other plusses for coach Michael Cheika are the return to the fold of flanker Sean O’Brien and scrum-half Chris Whitaker after injuries.
With Felipe Contepomi, Isa Nacewa and Rocky Elsom also reporting for duty, Leinster will be able to transport some heavy guns across the Irish Sea to face an Ospreys side that will be seriously denuded by international commitments.
Seven of the Welsh region’s number started for Wales in last Friday night’s defeat in Paris. A further three featured as replacements. With Munster not in action until the following day, whoever wins will go top of the table for 24 hours at least.
“The Ospreys are a dangerous team to face at any time of year, but even more so when people think they will be weak owing to the number of players who are on international duty with Wales,” said Leinster forwards coach Jonno Gibbes.
“We know that is not the case. They could be in a position to bring back players so we are preparing accordingly. They are still an experienced team with the likes of (Filo) Tiatia, Filipo Levi and Marty Holah.
“Everyone knows how competitive the Magners League is. The top three teams are starting to establish themselves and, any time you come up against them, you know you’re going to be in a battle.
“Certainly it’s a challenge we won’t be shying away from. The Ospreys are serious performers in their own backyard and boast a proud record at home. So it’s a game that we need to approach in a positive frame of mind.”
As ever at this time of year, the provinces are rummaging deeper into the larder in search of squad members. Scrum-half Paul O’Donohoe made his senior debut against the Scarlets and he is joined in the panel by Eoin O’Malley, Fergus McFadden and Kevin McLaughlin.
Gibbes said: “I was pleased with some of the younger players who took their opportunities (against the Scarlets). I was especially pleased for Fergus who has had to bide his time. He acquitted himself very well.”
Munster have named their squad to face Dragons on Saturday.
MUNSTER Squad (v Dragons): D Hurley; A Horgan, K Lewis, D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, C O'Boyle; P Warwick, J Manning, D Williams, P Stringer; D Hurley, F Pucciariello, M Essex, D Fogarty, T Buckley; M O'Driscoll, D Ryan; D Leamy, N Ronan, A Quinlan, B Holland, T O'Donnell, N Williams.
LEINSTER Squad (v Ospreys): Forwards: C Healy, B Blaney, J Fogarty, B Jackman, S Knoop, S Wright, T Hogan, D Toner, M O’Kelly, R Elsom, C Jowitt, S Jennings, S O’Brien, Stephen Keogh, K McLaughlin.
Backs: P O’Donohoe, C Whitaker, F Contepomi, J Sexton, Simon Keogh, I Nacewa, G D’Arcy, F McFadden, E O’Malley, S Horgan, G Dempsey.
OSPREYS: G Owen; J Vaughton, S Parker, A Bishop, K Phillips; D Biggar, J Nutbrown; P James, E Shervington, C Griffiths; F Levi, A Lloyd; T Smith, M Holah, F Tiatia.
Replacements: M Breeze, C Mitchell, R Pitman, S Tandy, R Wells, J Spratt, D Bishop.
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