Rugby:Luke Fitzgerald will start in his favoured position of fullback when Leinster get their Magners League campaign underway in Glasgow tomorrow evening. Fitzgerald, back to full fitness after an injury-ravaged season last term, is one of five Ireland internationals in the Leinster side.
New coach Joe Schmidt has again entrusted Seán O’Brien with the leadership duties and handed competitive debuts to summer signings Isaac Boss, Ed O’Donoghue and Heinke van der Merwe.
With Shaun Berne ruled out due to an Achilles’ strain, Isa Nacewa will start alongside Isaac Boss at outhalf while Fergus McFadden partners Eoin O’Malley in midfield.
With Simon Shawe starting in the front row, Ben Prescott (signed yesterday to provide additional cover for the injured Stan Wright) is named among the replacements.
After finishing second to the Ospreys in last season’s Grand Final, second row Nathan Hines is determined to hit the ground running against a Glasgow side weakened by a spate of injuries.
“Glasgow will be strong,” the Scotland international said today. “In saying that they do have a few absentees such as Alistair Kellock, Chris Cusiter and (Johnnie) Beattie, while Kelly Brown has gone to Saracens. With that, it presents another opportunity for the younger guys to come through and try to claim a scalp.
“Us, we finished top of the table last year and it’s their first home game so there’s pretty much everything to play for even though they haven’t got their strongest team.
“The two pre-season games (that we had) were good preparation for the start of the League proper and obviously they count, but you’re not playing for points in pre-season. Historically we haven’t done very well in Glasgow so it’s an opportunity for everyone to get a scalp early on.”
Brian McLaughlin’s Ulster will have it all to do when they face the Ospreys at Ravenhill tomorrow. Australian triallist Adam D'Arcy keeps his place at fullback David McIlwaine comes in on the left wing.
South Africa’s Ruan Pienaar and BJ Botha are not yet available as they remain on Tri-Nations duty while McLaughlin has to contend with an injury list that includes Ireland internationals Andrew Trimble, Dan Tuohy and Chris Henry
Leinster(v Glasgow): L Fitzgerald; S Horgan, E O'Malley, F McFadden, N Morris; I Nacewa, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, S Shawe; N Hines, E O'Donoghue; D Ryan, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements:J Fogarty, J McGrath, B Prescott, M Galarza, S Keogh, P O'Donohoe, I Madigan, E Sheridan.
Ulster(v Ospreys): A D'Arcy; T Seymour, D Cave, I Whitten, D McIlwaine; N O'Connor, P Marshall; B Young, R Best (Capt), D Fitzpatrick, J Muller, T Barker, S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg. Replacements:N Brady, T Court, P McAllister, R Caldwell, R Diack, I Porter, P Wallace, J Shiels.