RUGBY:MICHAEL CHEIKA did eventually give some young players an opportunity during his five-year reign as Leinster coach but a foreign player or more experienced operator always seemed to receive the nod in tight calls, to the detriment of local Irishmen in valuable need of exposure to places like Liberty Stadium.
Such a suggestion cannot be levelled at incumbent coach Joe Schmidt as Ian Madigan, Jason Harris-Wright and Dominic Ryan get further opportunities to stake longer-term claims.
Shaun Berne and Trevor Hogan are fit although neither player is being rushed back after problematic injuries, despite both playing in last week’s impressive defeat of Edinburgh.
Even more encouraging is the sight of former Belvedere College hooker Tom Sexton as Harris-Wright’s understudy, as Richardt Strauss is given a deserved rest, while fellow reserves Eoin Sheriff, Rhys Ruddock (the Osprey that slipped away), Paul O’Donohoe, Ian McKinley and Dave Kearney also represent the future well-being of Leinster rugby.
This positive sign of progress from the Leinster Academy is slightly offset by the sight of Jack McGrath and particularly Mike Ross on the bench as the gargantuan Kiwi Clint Newland and South African Heinke van der Merwe prop down, or up depending on their preference, in the scrum.
“I thought it (last week’s defeat of Edinburgh at the RDS) went okay,” said Newland of his debut. “The play around the park was quite quick and the only thing I found to be a bit strange was the scrums. All of the techniques and that are a bit different over here compared to back home.”
The presumption is Ross, not selected by the Irish management for a fourth consecutive game, will get a decent number of minutes after a frustrating month. He replaced Newland at half-time last Friday and proceeded to destroy the Edinburgh scrum.
Leo Cullen leads the side at lock beside the recuperated Ed O’Donoghue (knee) as both attempt to solidify their partnership while Nathan Hines and Devon Toner are on international duty.
Dan Biggar’s continued exclusion from the Welsh team will hardly work in Leinster’s favour, nor will the sight of Jerry Collins and Marty Holah in the Ospreys backrow.
Leinster have won their previous three visits to Swansea and this shadow side are playing decent heads-up rugby. On that premise, they can gather a valuable four points tomorrow.
LEINSTER: I Nacewa; S Horgan, E O’Malley, F McFadden, A Conway; I Madgian, I Boss; H van der Merwe, J Harris-Wright, C Newland; L Cullen (capt), E O’Donoghue; D Ryan, S Jennings, S Keogh. Replacements: T Sexton, J McGrath, M Ross, E Sheriff, R Ruddock, P O’Donohoe, I McKinley, D Kearney.
OSPREYS: B Davies; G Owen, S Parker, A Beck, R Fussell; D Biggar, R Webb; D Jones, R Hibbard, C Mitchell; I Gough, I Evans; J Tipuric, M Holah, J Collins (capt). Replacements: M Davies, J Rees, C Griffiths, J Goode, T Smith, J Nutbrown, M Morgan, T Isaacs.
Referee: D Wilkinson (IRFU).
Verdict: Leinster win.
