O’Connor takes no risks with players or Euro hopes
The latest instalment of the rivalry between the provinces may have consumed acres of column inches and hours of air time this week, with this evening’s Rabo-Direct Pro12 at the Aviva Stadium already a 51,000-plus sell-out, but with the Heineken Cup quarter-finals just a week away, Leinster boss O’Connor has opted not to risk his walking wounded as the Blues defend their two-point lead at the top of the table against second-placed Munster.
Three-time Heineken Cup winners Leinster face a daunting trip to defending champions Toulon a week tomorrow and though they will still field a starting 15 of Irish internationals this evening, Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Rhys Ruddock and Dave Kearney will not be among them, the quintet all being given an extra week to recover from their niggling injuries.
Nine of Ireland’s Six Nations winners will start for Leinster, with No 8 Jamie Heaslip captaining the side, and three more; Sean Cronin, Isaac Boss and Jordi Murphy, featuring on a strong bench that also includes Leo Cullen, Jimmy Gopperth and Zane Kirchner. The absence of Test loosehead props means a start for another, Michael Bent, in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross and a place among the replacements for Jack O’Connell, while tighthead is covered by Ed Byrne.
There are issues at tighthead for Munster as well, with Stephen Archer pulling up in training on Thursday and John Ryan recovering from a concussion suffered in last week’s win over Treviso. BJ Botha starts in the No 3 jersey with Alan Cotter in reserve.
Munster head coach Penney has made 10 changes to the side that beat the Italians 14-3 last Saturday, welcoming back his own quartet of Six Nations winners, Ireland captain Paul O’Connell, provincial skipper Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Tommy O’Donnell.
Ian Keatley, man of the match when Munster won the Thomond Park meeting of the two sides in October, returns at fly-half to partner scrum-half Murray, while Denis Hurley comes in at inside centre to partner Casey Laulala.
Penney will try to combat Leinster’s attacking intent by fighting fire with fire, picking fit-again Keith Earls, who made a try-scoring return against Treviso after injury, and Simon Zebo, for his 60th Munster cap, on the wings with Felix Jones at full-back.
In the pack, Damien Varley retains his place at hooker having returned last Saturday for his first game since January, and he packs down with props Dave Kilcoyne and BJ Botha.
O’Connell had intended to return a week ago, only to withdraw on the morning of the Treviso game with a shoulder “niggle”, but he is fit to face Ireland second row partner Devin Toner alongside Dave Foley, with captain O’Mahony forming a back row with O’Donnell and James Coughlan.
There is still concern surrounding Donnacha Ryan’s participation against Toulouse next Saturday, with the Ireland lock’s right foot being placed in a protective boot having suffered an injury against Treviso.
Munster reported yesterday that the injury “will need to be treated and monitored on a week-to-week basis”.
