Fitzgerald gets nod ahead of Nacewa

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt might not admit it, but the selection of Luke Fitzgerald before Isa Nacewa at full-back for tonight’s Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the RDS (7.30 pm) was a big call.

With the visitors holding back on full selection, Scott Johnson has also taken a risk in naming youngster Justin Tipuric as captain and on resting several key players like James Hook, Tommy Bowe and Mike Phillips.

It’s a weakened side for sure as the Ospreys focus firmly on their remaining Heineken Cup pool games in a bid to qualify for the quarter-finals in the face of huge opposition from Toulon, Munster and London Irish — in that order.