New era for Leinster begins

RABODIRECT PRO 12:

Former Leicester head coach Matt O’Connor will be looking to secure the province’s first opening day victory in the competition since defeating Edinburgh in September 2007.

He will try to do this with two debutants in their back line, as summer singing Jimmy Gopperth is joined by 26-year-old St Mary’s player Darragh Fanning.

Completing the back three, alongside right-wing Fanning, are Dave Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald has been identified as a potential suitor for the 13 position, but for now Fergus McFadden occupies this role alongside another returning stalwart, Gordon D’Arcy.

Gopperth’s bow at out-half will see him linking up with Eoin Reddan, who has also battled back from a long-term absence, and they will be hoping to show their new coach they can be a more than capable half-back partnership.

LEINSTER: D Kearney; D Fanning, F McFadden, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Gopperth, E Reddan; J McGrath, S Cronin, M Moore; D Toner, T Denton; R Ruddock, S Jennings, J Murphy.

SCARLETS: G Owen; L Williams, S Williams, S Shingler, K Phillips; R Priestland, G Davies; P John, K Owens, S Lee; G Earle, J Snyman; A Shingler, J Turnbull, R McCusker.