Reid gets his shot in the Irish derby

Matt O’Connor has named relative rookie Reid in the 12 jersey while Fitzgerald, reintegrating well after a myriad of injuries, is named outside him rather than in his usual wing berth. There’s also a different partnership at half-back for the RaboDirect Pro12 clash, with Ian Madigan linking up with Eoin Reddan.

Madigan will be keen to remind national coach Joe Schmidt of his talents having lost his place to Jimmy Gopperth for the Blues’ opening Heineken Cup clashes. There’s a school of thought that Madigan has fallen behind Paddy Jackson in the out-half pecking order for the autumn internationals, and with Schmidt this week calling on the provinces to give as many of his 34-man squad gametime as possible this weekend, Madigan will feel he has something to prove.