Fresh start for new Blue Sykes

SOUTH AFRICAN import Steven Sykes makes his Leinster debut in tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Aironi at the RDS (6pm).

But the newcomer, who is better known as a back-rower, will pack down in the second row alongside Devin Toner. Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has handed starts to Ruddock brothers Ciaran and Rhys and Academy out-half Noel Reid.

Reid (21) partners Cillian Willis at half-back in the only change to the backline which started last weekend’s 15-10 victory away to the Scarlets.

This means that Luke Fitzgerald continues his centre partnership with Eoin O’Malley while Isa Nacewa, who has kicked 45 points so far this season, continues at full-back.

More than 14,700 tickets have now been sold for this game and that keeps Leinster way up at the top of attendance figures for the RaboDirect tournament.

Irish clubs have often doubled the average attendances in Wales and made a mockery of the 2,000 to 5,000 crowds experienced in Scotland and Italy.

LEINSTER: I Nacewa, F Carr, E O’Malley, L Fitzgerald, D Kearney, N Reid, C Willis, H van der Merwe, R Strauss, J Hagan, D Toner, S Sykes, C Ruddock, L Auva’a, R Ruddock.

Replacements: J Harris-Wright, J McGrath, J O’Connell, D. Browne, J Murphy, J Cooney, I Madigan, B Macken.

AIRONI: R Trevisan; S Sinoti, R Quartaroli, G Pizarro, G Venditti; T Tebaldi, T Keats; A De Marchi, R Santamaria (capt), F Staibano, J Furno, G Biagi, J Sole, N Williams, S Favaro.

Replacements: D Giazzon, M Aguero, L Redolfini, F Cazzola, F Ferrarini, N Olivier, G. Bronzini, R Pavan.