RUGBY: Gordon D'Arcy is one of a number of Ireland internationals included in Michael Cheika's 25-man Leinster squad ahead of this Saturday's trip to Parc y Scarlets to take on the Scarlets in the Magners League.
In both Six Nations wins against France and Italy, D’Arcy came off the bench to replace the unfortunate Paddy Wallace, who has had two bruising blood injuries to the eyes in each game.
Wallace’s misfortune afforded D’Arcy the opportunity to show some form of old on the international stage after almost a year out. If the Leinster centre starts in Wales on Saturday, further game time should prove beneficial ahead of Ireland’s third Six Nations encounter with England at Croke Park the following weekend.
D'Arcy is joined in the initial squad by Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Shane Jennings and Malcolm O'Kelly, who were all involved in the Ireland set up. Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and Jonathan Sexton all impressed for Ireland 'A' team last weekend and they too are named.
Felipe Contepomi, Rocky Elsom and Isa Nacewa bolster selection options for the province's first visit to Parc y Scarlets.
Defence coach Kurt McQuilkin believes Leinster will have to bring their A game to Wales. "The thing about facing a squad of the quality of Llanelli is that you have to be on top of your game to get a result,” said McQuilkin. “They are a class outfit and they will put it up to you, so it's a test that we're going to have face with great intensity.
"They're a side that likes to play in your face. They come at you and have threats all over the park. Regan King is dangerous and their back three is very sharp. Simon Easterby brings great experience up front and is a proven international player, so we will need to be positive against them.
"We will take positives from last year's away win in Stradey Park (24-10). The conditions that day were treacherous, with gusting wind and driving rain all evening, but we dug deep and our back and forward were faultless. Our defence was strong that day and we will need to have our 'A' game this week because we will also be mindful of our heavy defeat to them at the RDS last season,” added McQuilkin insists the Six Nations can serve as an opportunity for younger players to step up to the mark at this time of the season.
"It can be a fairly disjointed period in the calendar (during the Six Nations), but we will welcome back some of the players from Ireland camp while a number of younger players will also be putting their hands up for selection.
“Some guys will see Saturday's game as a chance to stake a claim and that's the culture that Cheiks (Michael Cheika) has instilled in the squad over the last few years.
"It's a good time in the year for players to recuperate and the guys are looking very sharp in training after their week off following the victory over Edinburgh. We've been able to do a lot of strength and conditioning work and the attitude of the players over the last few weeks has been first class.
McQuilkin expects the league to go right down to the wire. After 10 games Munster are currently top with 31 points, two ahead of Ospreys and defending champions Leinster, who are three ahead of Scarlets in fourth.
"Having won the Magners League title last year we know that the title race will go right down to the wire,” he said. “It's vital that you take points out of every game from here on in.
“In terms of a mid-term report, I would say that we're in a good place. Certainly compared to last year, we have improved and have achieved some new goals, namely in reaching the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup. So we're going well, but we know that we can do a lot better."
Leinster take on the Scarlets on Saturday at 5.30pm.
Leinster squad (v Scarlets)
Forwards: C Healy, R McCormack, B Blaney, J Fogarty, S Knoop, S Wright, T Hogan, C Jowitt, M O'Kelly, D Toner, R Elsom, K McLaughlin, S Jennings, S O'Brien, S Keogh
Backs: S Keogh, P O'Donohoe, I Nacewa, J Sexton, G Brown, F Contepomi, G D'Arcy, F McFadden, S Horgan, G Dempsey
