Rugby – Team News:After last night's disappointing defeat away to Connacht in the Magners League, Leinster will look to get back on track against Glasgow tomorrow night when the younger squad members get a chance to shine.
The European champions remain top of the league while Connacht moved level with Ulster in their battle for the final Irish Heineken Cup slot next season.
Coach Michael Cheika had already named his team for tomorrow’s game at Firhill (kick-off 8pm) when he announced the starting line-up to face Connacht.
The side travelling to Glasgow has a distinctly youthful look and is an opportunity for fringe and academy players to make their mark.
"If you told me at the start of the year that I would have the chance to play two full games for the senior team I would have taken that, so Friday's game is another great opportunity for players like myself to try and make an impression,” said Leinster backrow Rhys Rudddock.
"It's also nice to be playing with Ciaran in the Magners League for the first time because we have played a lot together this season in the AIB League with UCD.
"We know that we're up against it on Friday because Glasgow are a fantastic side. They have great power up front and their backrow unit are well regarded. Their six, Kelly Brown, likes to carry a lot of ball and right across their backline there's a huge array of talent, superbly marshalled by Dan Parks at outhalf.
“He pins teams back and punishes any errors so we'll have to extra vigilant in our discipline this week,” added Ruddock (19), who has two Leinster caps.
"Seeing the guys in training this week, even though there are a few (players) making their debuts, we can use that nervous energy to our advantage. I would never doubt the passion that the players in this squad play with.
"Friday presents an opportunity to show off all the hard work that has been done over the last few months and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Meanwhile, Glasgow have made two changes, one enforced, to the team that defeated Ulster last weekend as they bid to consolidate fourth position in the table.
Scotland captain Chris Cusiter is given the nod at scrumhalf, moving Mark McMillan to the bench, while Hefin O'Hare takes his place on the wing as DTH van der Merwe is unavailable due to a dead leg.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game, Cusiter said: “It's a huge game for the club. We need to get the four points to keep moving up the table.
“There are just two games to go and we know that if we don't take advantage of this opportunity then the season could come to a pretty quick end.”
Leinster (v Glasgow):Ian Madigan; Simon Keogh, Eoin O'Malley, Fergus McFadden, Michael Keating; Paul O'Donohoe, Chris Keane,;Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman (capt), Mike Ross, Trevor Hogan, Ciaran Ruddock, Rhys Ruddock, Paul Ryan, Stephen Keogh
Replacements:Jason Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Mark Flanagan, Dominic Ryan, David Moore, Kyle Tonetti/Brendan Macken, Andrew Conway
Glasgow:Bernardo Stortoni; Colin Shaw, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Hefin O'Hare; Dan Parks, Chris Cusiter; Kevin Tkachuk, Fergus Thomson, Moray Low, Tim Barker, Alastair Kellock (capt), Kelly Brown, John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements:Dougie Hall, Ed Kalman, Dan Turner, Calum Forrester, Mark McMillan, Duncan Weir, Rob Dewey.