Young Leinster duo braced for a cup baptism of fire

CHRISTMAS may have come early for Eoin O’Malley. With Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald ruled out, and Brian O’Driscoll expected to follow suit, there are suddenly all sorts of opportunities opening in the previously impervious Leinster back line.

Word is that O’Malley will replace the injured number 13 while Fergus McFadden will be parachuted onto the wing for Sunday’s tasty meeting at Clermont Auvergne.

It would be a day of note for both. O’Malley, 22, has never featured in Europe before while McFadden’s input on the big Heineken days has been limited to four appearances off the bench. They will learn their fates on Friday.