Cheika makes early team announcements

Coach Michael Cheika has taken the unprecedented step of naming his Leinster sides to play Connacht in The Sportsground on Wednesday and Glasgow at Firhill on Friday in the Magner’s League.

Mon, 19 Apr, 2010 - 13:25

Coach Michael Cheika has taken the unprecedented step of naming his Leinster sides to play Connacht in The Sportsground on Wednesday and Glasgow at Firhill on Friday in the Magner’s League.

Most importantly, Brian O’Driscoll will make his return against Connacht in an exciting centre partnership with Eoin O'Malley.

CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright and Richardt Strauss will make an all overseas front row with Shane Jennings captaining the side from openside.

Ireland U20 sensation Andrew Conway has been named on the right wing for what will be his third appearance for the province.

Leo Cullen, Cian Healy and Jamie Heaslip are named on a strong looking bench.

LEINSTER (team v Connacht):

15: Girvan Dempsey

14: Andrew Conway

13: Brian O'Driscoll

12: Eoin O'Malley

11: Isa Nacewa

10: Shaun Berne

9: Eoin Reddan

1: Stan Wright

2: Richardt Strauss

3: CJ van der Linde

4: Nathan Hines

5: Malcolm O'Kelly

6: Kevin McLaughlin

7: Shane Jennings CAPTAIN

8: Stephen Keogh.

REPLACEMENTS:

16: John Fogarty

17: Cian Healy

18: Leo Cullen

19: Jamie Heaslip

20: Paul O'Donohoe

21: Ian Madigan

22: Simon Keogh.

Veteran hooker Bernard Jackman will captain Leinster against Glasgow Warriors in Friday night's clash at Firhill (KO: 8pm).

Cheika has opted to let youth have its head. Rhys Ruddock starts in a pack alongside his brother Ciaran and fellow Leinster Academy back-row forward Paul Ryan who has impressed for the province in recent weeks.

Ireland international trio Jackman, Trevor Hogan and Mike Ross also feature in the pack, while Fergus McFadden starts at centre alongside Eoin O'Malley.

Backs Michael Keating, Ian Madigan and Paul O’Donohoe, at fly-half, will also be given licence to deliver on their potential.

LEINSTER (team v Glasgow Warriors):

15: Ian Madigan

14: Simon Keogh

13: Eoin O'Malley

12: Fergus McFadden

11: Michael Keating

10: Paul O'Donohoe

9: Chris Keane

1: Ronan McCormack

2: Bernard Jackman CAPTAIN

3: Mike Ross