RUGBY: Leinster v Worcester in an August friendly mightn't normally set pulses racing but as the starting point for the Declan Kidney era at Castle Avenue tonight it bears more lustre than might otherwise be the case.
With nine frontline internationals in an extended pre-season, and three more - Denis Hickie, Gordon D'Arcy and Keith Gleeson - at various stages of recuperation from injury, as well as Pumas outhalf Felipe Contepomi out, Leinster are far from full strength.
Furthermore, their newly promoted English Premiership opponents will be straining at the leash after winning all 26 of their National League One games last season. They include three of their seven summer signings - winger Ben Gollings, tighthead Chris Horsman and flanker Pat Sanderson - with three more on the bench, including ex-Stade Français and French centre Thomas Lombard.
Nevertheless, opportunities are knocking for several Leinster players. Even without Gleeson, there will be fierce competition in the back row when Victor Costello and Eric Miller rejoin the fray, while uncontracted players such as full back Dave Hewitt, as well as replacements Eoin Burke (the Barnhall scrumhalf), Conor Kilroy and Fiachra Baynes are all being looked at.
"They've been training since the first Monday (June 21st) after the second South African Test and they're all keen to get back playing again," said Kidney.
"We'll be looking for a good command of the basics and a cornerstone for the coming season."
A new era begins at Ravenhill as well when Ulster host NEC Harlequins in Mark McCall's first game as coach. With Andy Ward on the bench after minor surgery over the summer, the game also marks Neil McMillan's first game as captain. The flanker is one of four players who signed new four-year contracts this week, the others being Simon Best, Neil Best and Paddy Wallace, following the earlier lead of Roger Wilson, while Paul Shields and Bryn Cunningham have agreed to three-year deals.
Ulster were to have played Rotherham a week ago, but their hosts pulled out of the fixture at two hours' notice (with McCall in the middle of his team meeting) due to an internal financial dispute. However, Ulster have secured another friendly, away to the Gwent Dragons, next Saturday.
Tonight's fixture also sees the return after a year's absence of Johnny Bell, following an achilles operation, and he is named on the bench. "It's been a long, hard slog and a very frustrating time, but hopefully it will all turn out worthwhile," he said.
Michael Bradley has yet to finalise his starting selection for the friendly against London Irish (for whom Mike Catt makes his debut) at the Sportsground, though he will play all his fit players who didn't start against Newcastle. Hence, the former Australian Sevens captain Paul Warwick will start at outhalf, and Dave Slemen at full back.
Bradley is seeking "a bit more rhythm than we achieved on Tuesday, particularly in the second half, when Newcastle dominated the set-pieces. So we will be looking to improve specifically in that area."
This match will precede a greyhound meeting, which supporters can stay on to see free.
LEINSTER: D Hewitt; J McWeeney, G Brown, D Quinlan, J Norton; C Warner, B O'Riordan; AN Other, G Hickie, P Coyle, L Cullen (capt), B Gissing, A McCullen, D Dillon, S Jennings. Replacements: AN Other, D Blaney, C Potts, N Ronan, E Burke, D McAllister, C Kilroy, F Baynes.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, S Stewart, A Larkin, A Maxwell; P Wallace, K Campbell; R McCormack, P Shields, R Moore, M Mustchin, R Frost, N Best, C Feather, N McMillan (capt). Replacements: J Bell, S Mallon, T Bowe, N Doak, A Ward, M McComish, M McCullough, T Barker, S Shawe, N Brady, B Young.
LONDON IRISH: D Armitage; T Ojo, G Appleford, M Catt, S Staniforth; M Mapletoft, D Edwards; N Hatley, R Russell, P Durant, R Strudwick (capt), B Casey, P Gustard, M Haslett, K Roche.
CONNACHT (from): Backs - M Mostyn, T Robinson, N O'Brien, J Downey, C McPhillips, E Elwood, T Tierney, C O'Loughlin, M Walls, P Warwick, D Slemen, J Meagher. Forwards - A Clarke, H Bourke, P Bracken, T Buckley, S Knoop, P Myburgh, C Short, M Swift, M Lacey, A Farley, J Fogarty, J O'Sullivan, M Carroll, P Neville, J Muldoon.
WORCESTER: D Roke; J Hilton, D Rasmussen, T Hayes, B Gollings; J Brown, M Powell; T Windo (capt), B Daly, C Horsman, P Murphy, C Gillies, N Mason, D Hickey, P Sanderson. Replacements: S Sparks, T Warren, A van Niekerk, C Hall, J Percival, R Blaze, S Vaili, C Stuart-Smith, N Cole, T Lombard, D O'Leary, J Higgins.
Tonight's fixtures: Connacht v London Irish, the Sportsground (6.30); Leinster v Worcester, Castle Avenue (7.30); Ulster v NEC Harlequins, Ravenhill (7.30).
