Match Preview: Gopperth at 10 as O’Connor springs surprises

With Jimmy Gopperth at 10 instead of Ian Madigan, Mike Ross demoted from the 23 and Jack Conan preferred to Dominic Ryan, Matt O’Connor has provided no scarcity of pre-match debating points for Leinster fans today.

If the preference for Gopperth continues the game of musical chairs at out-half, then the promotion of Marty Moore to starting tighthead and Tadhg Furlong to the bench for a game of this import signals the beginning of the end for Ross.

Neither selection is likely to meet with Joe Schmidt’s favour just three weeks before Ireland’s 6 Nations opener in Italy, but needs must for the province and O’Connor has named a team more than capable of claiming all five points.