Leinster and Munster name teams for Aviva showdown

By Peter O’ Dwyer

Leinster and Munster have named their respective teams ahead of tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash at the Aviva Stadium.

The home side have named Ian Madigan at out-half ahead of Jimmy Gopperth with Michael Bent at loose-head in the absence through injury of both Cian Healy and Jack McGrath.

Elsewhere, Rob Kearney takes his place in a dangerous looking back three that also includes Luke Fitzgerald and Fergus McFadden, with Kearney’s brother Dave ruled out through injury.

Richardt Strauss also gets the nod at hooker ahead of Six Nations winner Sean Cronin, in the only other notable change to the side.

Centre-stalwarts Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’ Driscoll again lineout together at 12 and 13 and Eoin Reddan takes his place in the starting lineup at the expense of Isaac Boss.

Munster meanwhile have made ten changes to the side that saw off Treviso in a drab affair at Thomond Park last week.

Into the side from come Paul O’Connell, Peter O’ Mahony, Conor Murray and Tommy O’ Donnell along with props Dave Kilcoyne and BJ Botha and Simon Zebo who takes his place on the wing.

O’ Connell has recovered from the slight shoulder niggle that kept him out of last week’s game and will partner Dave Foley in the second-row as Donnacha Ryan continues to struggle with a strain in his right foot.

The biggest surprise comes with Denis Hurley being named at inside-centre, in partnership with Casey Lualala, instead of James Downey. Ian Keatley also gets the nod ahead of JJ Hanrahan who had a bit of an off day with the boot the last time out.

Hanrahan, Donncha O’ Callaghan, CJ Stander and South African winger Gerhard van den Heever are amongst the replacements.

Just two points separate the sides going into tomorrow’s crucial encounter with the home side holding the slight advantage.

Leinster Team: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brian O’ Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan; Michael Bent, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy; Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack O’ Connell, Ed Byrne, Leo Cullen, Jordi Murphy, Isaac Boss, Jimmy Gopperth, Zane Kirchner.

Munster Team: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O’ Connell; Peter O’ Mahony, Tommy O’ Donnell, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Alan Cotter, Donncha O’ Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Gerhard van den Heever.