Rugby – Team News:Michael Cheika and Brian McLaughlin today named their respective Leinster and Ulster line-ups ahead of this weekend's Heineken Cup action with Cheika still waiting on an injury update on his captain Leo Cullen.
The European champions travel to France to take on Brive in their must-win Pool 6 game after narrowly losing their opener against London Irish last weekend
Brian O’Driscoll will partner Luke Fitzgerald in the central partnership with Isa Nacewa moving to the left wing and Shane Horgan continuing on the right wing.
Rob Kearney will look to inject some pace into the encounter from fullback, while Eoin Reddan continues his half-back partnership with Jonathan Sexton.
In the pack, Bernard Jackman returns to the front row with John Fogarty dropping to the replacements bench. Cian Healy lines up alongside Jackman and Mike Ross with Cullen and Kevin McLaughlin due to undergo late fitness tests before Cheika makes his final call closer to kick-off (3.45pm Irish time).
Should Cullen or McLaughlin miss out Malcolm O’Kelly will start with Devin Toner coming on to the replacements bench.
In the Ulster camp McLaughlin has opted for a unchanged side that defeated Sale last weekend ahead of their trip to the Scottish capital to take on Edinburgh at Murrayfield.
The only variation sees Dan Tuohy return to the replacements bench in place of Neil McComb.
“We have shown we can win away from home in the Magners League and now it’s time for a Heineken Cup away win,” said McLaughlin. “Edinburgh will be up for the challenge at home and we will have to step it up another level again.
“They know their Heineken Cup hopes will be severely hurt if they lose their second game, so they will be going out to stop a run of three straight defeats when they face us. We know they are going to come at us hard and we are under no illusions about the massive task ahead of us.
“If we play to the best of our capability it is a game we are capable of winning, and after the win against Bath, we cannot afford to underachieve at Murrayfield.
The coach was also aware of adopting the right tactics, especially against the kicking threats Edinburgh possess.
“We must play the game in the right areas as we know all too well the kicking abilities of Chris Paterson and also Phil Godman, who can be dangerous with his drop-goal attempts” added McLaughlin.
“Everyone in the Ulster camp is passionate about what we’re trying to achieve, and I guess the players are thriving off that enthusiasm.
Leinster team (v Brive):Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa, Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan, Cian Healy, Bernard Jackman, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen (Captain) / Malcolm O'Kelly*, Nathan Hines, Kevin McLaughlin / Malcolm O'Kelly**, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:John Fogarty, CJ van der Linde, Ronan McCormack, Malcolm O'Kelly / Devin Toner*, Stephen Keogh**, Simon Keogh, Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy
Ulster team (v Edinburgh):Tom Court, Andy Kyriacou, Brendon Botha, Ed O'Donoghue, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack, Clinton Schifcofske, Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace (Captain), Andrew Trimble, Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss.
Replacements:Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, Simon Danielli.
