Fitzgerald out for Dragons clash

Luke Fitzgerald hasn’t recovered from the knee injury sustained last weekend against the Ospreys in time to make Leinster’s match day 23 for their home encounter with the Dragons tomorrow night (KO 7.35pm).

Fitzgerald’s absence means Eoin O’Malley switches to inside centre with Brendan Macken getting the number 13 jersey.

After Friday’s disappointing loss at the Liberty Stadium Joe Schmidt has opted for a different half-back pairing of Cillian Willis and Ian Madigan with John Cooney and Mat Berquist named amongst the replacements.

The pack is unchanged with Ireland international Rhys Ruddock again leading the side.

A decision on the final place on the replacements bench will be made closer to kick off.

Tony McGahan has made one backline switch and three changes up front for Munster’s visit to Glasgow tomorrow night (7.30).

That sees Simon Zebo slot into the left wing berth at the expense of Denis Hurley who picked up a slight hamstring injury in last Saturday’s victory over the Dragons.

In the front row McGahan starts with the trio who came off the bench last weekend, with Wian du Preez, Damien Varley and John Hayes getting the nod over Marcus Horan and Stephen Archer who drop to the bench.

Mike Sherry misses out with a shoulder knock sustained against Dragons.

Munster this morning also announced the signing of Queensland Reds utility back Will Chambers on a short term contract subject to being granted a valid work permit and undergoing medical and fitness clearance.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made only one change to the starting XV to face Aironi on Saturday at the Stadio Zaffanella (3pm).

Tim Barker has replaced Lewis Stevenson in the second row, where he will partner Dan Tuohy.

Stevenson drops to the bench as a result so there is no place for Neil McComb who has dropped out of the match day 23.

The pack is otherwise unchanged, with Paddy McAllister and Jerry Cronin joining Andi Kyriacou in the front row.

Chris Henry will again captain the side from number 8 alongside Willie Faloon and Pedrie Wannenburg in the back row.

New signing Jared Payne arrived from New Zealand on Monday and will travel to Italy but has not been rushed into playing action.

Leinster: Nacewa; Carr, Macken, O’Malley, Kearney; Madigan, Willis; van der Merwe, Strauss, Hagan; Browne, Toner, McLaughlin, Ryan, Ruddock capt;

Replacements: Dundon, McGrath, O’Connell /White, Flanagan, Auva’a, Cooney, Berquist, Hudson.

Munster: Murphy; Howlett, Barnes, Mafi, Zebo; Keatley, Stringer; du Preez, Varley, Hayes; Holland, O'Driscoll; O'Mahony capt, Ronan, Coughlan.

Replacements: Fogarty, Horan, Archer, Foley, O'Donnell, Williams, Deasy, Gleeson.

Ulster: D’Arcy; Gilroy, Cave, Spence, Whitten; Humphreys, Marshall; McAllister, Kyriacou, Cronin, Barker, Tuohy, Wannenburg, Faloon, Henry capt;

Replacements: Brady, Fitzpatrick, Macklin, Stevenson, Diack, Porter, Jackson, Marshall.