Leinster have made five changes to the team that beat Glasgow 39-11 in their opening match of the inaugural Celtic League for tomorrow night's clash with Llanelli at Stradey Park (7.05). Peter McKenna replaces Girvan Dempsey at full back with the latter dropping to the bench.
John McWeeney comes in on the right wing for St Mary's College club-mate Denis Hickie. In the pack the front five is retained while it is a case of all change in the back row. Aidan McCullen comes in for Trevor Brennan at blindside, Eric Miller replaces Victor Costello at number eight while last season's skipper Liam Toland takes the number seven jersey from Keith Gleeson.
Coach Matt Williams was quick to point out that the changes merely reflected his intention of doling out opportunities to players to contest various positions and also the fact Leinster will have a hectic fixture schedule - applicable to all provinces - in the weeks ahead. "We have three games in seven days, starting with Llanelli and then facing Ebbw Vale on Tuesday and Ulster the following Friday.
"Competition for places is also important. There is no doubt that the Ulster match is enormously important and will represent our most difficult game. But that does not mean we don't want to win this (Celtic League) competition. Ebbw Vale will be here on Tuesday and any side that Mike (Ruddock, the former Leinster coach) coaches will be highly motivated and play good rugby.
"Changing the team around gives players a chance to show their wares."
Williams conceded that Malcolm O'Kelly, currently "enjoying" a pre-season training regime since returning from Australia, would get about 15 minutes tomorrow. Fellow Lion Brian O'Driscoll will not return to competitive fare until the Ulster match.
It was confirmed yesterday Leinster would play two of their three home European Cup matches, against Toulouse and Newport at Lansdowne Road. The international venue is not available to them for their game against Newcastle which will be played at Donnybrook.
It was also announced that stand tickets for tomorrow week's game against Ulster at Donnybrook would be pre-sold at the Ebbw Vale match on Tuesday night. Given that there has been huge demand for tickets for the Ulster game, it is anticipated these tickets will be snapped up on night.
Llanelli, missing several players through injury, had coach Gareth Jenkins struck down by a bizarre accident at the weekend.
While cycling to Stradey Park for the home game against Ebbw Vale, he fell off his bicycle and fractured his pelvis. Despite having three pins inserted and a plaster cast put on, Jenkins intends to be at the Leinster game, albeit in a wheelchair.
Llanelli show four changes from the side that beat Ebbw Vale. Luke Gross and Craig Gillies come into the second row, Martyn Madden at loosehead prop and Welsh outhalf Stephen Jones returns to captain a side that includes Irish internationals Guy and Simon Easterby.
LLANELLI: B Davies; W Proctor, N Boobyer, L Davies, S Finau; S Jones (capt), G Easterby; M Madden, M Thomas, J Davies; L Gross, C Gillies; S Easterby, D Hodges, I Boobyer. Replacements: N Booth, Smith, C Wyatt, V Cooper, D Peel, G Bowen, M Hardy/G Evans.
LEINSTER: P McKenna; J McWeeney, A Magro, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; A Dunne, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle; L Cullen, R Casey; A McCullen, E Miller, L Toland. Replacements: N Treston, G Hickie, M O'Kelly, T Brennan, B Willis, D Quinlan, G Dempsey.
