RUGBY: Bernard Jackman returns to the Leinster starting XV for tomorrow night's Magners League game against the Ospreys in the only change to the side that defeated the Scarlets last time out, while Gordon D'Arcy continues his centre partnership alongside Fergus McFadden.
In the pack skipper Shane Jennings and Cameron Jowitt, who both scored tries in the 31-17 Scarlets win, start in the backrow alongside Rocky Elsom. Chris Whitaker and Sean O'Brien have recovered from injury to take their places amongst the replacements.
"The victory in Llanelli was a very important result and it showed that with Munster also winning, you have to keep the pressure on the teams around you,” said Jennings, who is pleased with the competition for places within the squad. “It is vital that the squad remains competitive and that we're constantly challenging each other in training.
“Training has been extremely sharp since the Llanelli win. There were some good individual displays that night, but we know that we have to improve our discipline.
Jennings captained the province for the first time against the Scarlets, but maintains there are plenty of strong characters in the dressing room. "I enjoyed captaining the team against Llanelli, but with so many leaders in the dressing-room, the role isn't as prominent nowadays,” he said.
“If I feel that there's something that needs to be said, I'll say it, but there are a number of leaders who will speak up. The important thing is that there is collective responsibility and that we're heading together in the same direction as a team.
"Friday night's game is another game that we have to win. There's the danger that if we slip up that Munster will have an opportunity to put daylight between the other teams. So we will have to be focused and treat the Ospreys with the respect they deserve.
"We are one of a few teams in contention and retaining our title and coupled with the fear of drifting away from the leaders, that is massive incentive for us,” added the captain.
Leinster are currently three points adrift of leaders Munster and tied second alongside Ospreys on 33 points.
Prop Cian Healy is under no illusions and believes Ospreys will be as difficult as ever to break down, despite the unavailability of some squad members retained by Warren Gatland in the Welsh camp.
"Friday night is another huge game for us,” said Healy. “The Llanelli result was a massive one in the context of the Magners League, but we moved on and have worked really hard over the last fortnight with this game in mind.
"Whenever you play away from home it's important that you stand up and, certainly, the Ospreys are a team that we have great respect for. They're very attack-minded and the game is sure to be very physical, and they will no doubt expect the same from us. All we can do is focus on ourselves and on our own performance.”
Elsewhere Johnny O’Connor has been named on the replacement bench for Connacht’s game against the Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground tomorrow night.
O'Connor returned after a long layoff and impressed in last week’s ‘A’ match against Ulster in Mullingar. Conor Muldoon is also named on the bench in place of the injured Adrian Flavin.
Michael Bradley’s side show two changes with Troy Nathan to start at fullback and Gavin Duffy reverting to inside centre for the injured Niva Ta'auso. David Gannon comes into the backrow for Colm Rigney, who picked up a knee injury against the Ospreys two weeks ago.
Kick-off at the Sportsground tomorrow is 6.30pm and with action at the Liberty Stadium due to get under way at 7.05pm.
Leinster team (v Ospreys):
G Dempsey, S Horgan, F McFadden, G D'Arcy, I Nacewa, F Contepomi, P O'Donohoe, C Healy, B Jackman, S Wright, T Hogan, M O'Kelly, C Jowitt, S Jennings (C), R Elsom. Replacements: B Blaney, S Knoop, D Toner, S O'Brien, C Whitaker, J Sexton, S Keogh
Connacht team (v Cardiff):
T Nathan; L Bibo, G Duffy, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; A Browne, A Farley; D Gannon, R Ofisa, J Muldoon (C). Replacements : C Muldoon, R Loughney, M Swift, J O'Connor, C O'Loughlin, A Dunne, M Deane.
