Magners League team news: Rob Kearney will have the opportunity to play his way into Heineken Cup final contention when Leinster take on the Dragons in the final league game of the season tomorrow evening.
Kearney, out of action since coming down with the mumps last month, returns to the starting line-up at Rodney Parade needing to impress coach Michael Cheika if he hopes to dislodge Isa Nacewa or Shane Horgan for next weekend’s showpiece in Edinburgh.
Starting on the wing, he could be joined at some stage by younger brother David who has been named among the replacements.
Kearney aside, Cheika has decided to wrap his Heineken Cup finalists in cotton wool and afforded a raft of fringe players an end of season run out.
Kyle Tonetti and Ian McKinley make their Magners League bows in an unfamiliar backline while four further academy players could be sprung from the bench.
In the absence of the injured Rory Best, Nigel Brady will captain Ulster when they meet the Scarlets.
Paddy Wallace (head), BJ Botha (neck) are also out meaning starts for Ian Whitten in the midfield and Declan Fitzpatrick at tighthead prop.
Stephen Ferris, due to meet up with his British & Irish Lions colleagues next week, has been rested for the match at Parc Y Scarlets.
Munster, who will receive their Magners League title at Thomond Park this evening, have overtaken Leinster as the best supported team in the tournament with an average of almost 18,000 fans this year.
Leinster: G Dempsey; S Keogh, F McFadden, K Tonetti, R Kearney; I McKinley, C Keane; R McCormack, J Fogarty, S Knoop; T Hogan, D Toner, K McLaughlin, S O'Brien, S Keogh; Replacements: B Blaney, J Hagan, C Jowitt, P Ryan, P O'Donohoe, I Madigan, D Kearney
Ulster: I Boss; T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten, S Danielli; N O'Connor, C Willis; B Young, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, M McCullough, C Henry, R Diack. Replacements: N Hanna, J Fitzpatrick, C Del Fava, W Faloon, I Humphreys, M McCrea, C Schifcofske
Europe's best supported teams
(league games as at May 15th, 2009)
Stade Francais: 26,365
Tolouse: 21,372
Munster: 17,929
Leicester: 17,358
Harlequins: 15,249
Leinster: 14,728
Gloucester: 14,215
