Leinster on revenge mission as they chase seventh win on trot

LEINSTER will have revenge on their minds when they take on the Ospreys tomorrow in the Magners League in their first meeting since last season’s grand final.

The Ospreys 17-12 victory that day will surely be a motivation for Leinster, who will look to make it seven wins in succession from all competitions.

But for Clint Newland, the 6’ 5” New Zealand prop who made his debut against the Dragons, it’s a chance to make it two wins from two.

“I thought it (last week’s game) went okay,” he said.

“The play around the park was quite quick and the only thing I found to be a bit strange was the scrums. All of the techniques and that are a bit different over here compared to back home.

“I had been playing over in New Zealand for 12 years and I thought that now was a good time for a change. So far I’m glad that I made the change. I’ve enjoyed my time at the club so far and I just hope that it carries on.”

Leo Cullen leads the team where he’ll be joined in the second row by Ed O’Donoghue. Jason Harris-Wright makes his first start of the season at hooker in a front row which includes props Heinke van der Merwe and Newland.

Isa Nacewa, currently lying second in the competition’s top points scorers list this season (80 points), continues at full-back.

As well as missing 12 internationals, the Ospreys are without Jonathan Spratt (ACL), Ben Lewis (neck), Morgan Allen (ankle), Eli Walker (ribs), Ryan Bevington (finger), Ben John (wrist), Dai Flanagan (back), Shane Williams (shoulder) and Kristian Phillips (ankle) but Richard Hibbard, Dan Biggar and Ian Gough have been released by Wales international duty.

“After a tough challenge in Connacht last weekend, it doesn’t get any easier on Sunday,” said Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson.

“We’ve got a few more options available with the lads back from Wales duty, but by and large, we are looking at the same group of players who’ve served us well over the last month. We’ve planned for this period, knowing that we would need to utilise our squad fully when the international boys are away.”