Rugby:Leinster fans will get their first opportunity to catch a glimpse of new outhalf Mat Berquist when the province get their pre-season underway against the Melbourne Rebels tomorrow evening. The former Canterbury Crusaders number 10 is named in Joe Schmidt's starting XV alongside youngster John Cooney in Donnybrook.
With so many players away on World Cup duty, Schmidt’s options are somewhat limited but despite missing Cian Healy, Mike Ross and Sean Cronin the Leinster front row should prove more than a match for the Rebels with new recruit Jamie Hagan scrumming down alongside Richardt Strauss and Heinke van der Merwe.
Fionn Carr will also make his first Leinster appearance after his summer move from Connacht.
BJ Botha will make his Munster debut after making the switch from Ulster when Tony McGahan’s side entertain Wasps at Musgrave Park. And Ulster named an inexperienced side earlier this week for their meeting with Neath at the Gnoll.
Leinster(v Melbourne Rebels): I Madigan; D Hudson, B Macken, E Sheridan, F Carr; M Berquist, J Cooney; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, J Hagan; M Flanagan, D Toner; R Ruddock (capt), D Ryan, L Auva'a. Replacements:A Dundon, J McGrath, J O'Connell, S Sykes, D Gannon, C Willis, C O'Shea, A Conway, J Harris-Wright, C Ruddock, B Marshall, A Boyle.
Munster(v London Wasps): S Deasy; D Howlett, D Barnes, L Mafi, S Zebo; D Cusack, P Stringer; W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; B Holland, I Nagle; David O'Callaghan, P O'Mahony, P Butler. Replacements(from): D Fogarty, S Archer, M Horan, D Foley, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan, D Williams, T Gleeson, S Scanlon, JJ Hanrahan.
Ulster(v Neath): P Nelson; M Allen, C Farrell, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, I Porter, P McAllister, J Burns, J Cronin; L Stevenson (capt), N McComb; M McComish, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements:A Warwick, C Black, A Macklin, J Simpson, A Birch, B McIlroy, S Olding, C Gaston.
