Ulster v Leinster (Ravenhill, Sat, 6pm):With the IRFU's player management programme never too far from the forefront of a coach's thinking at this stage of the season, Leinster have made sweeping changes for tomorrow evening's duel with Ulster.
Under the agreement with the Ireland management, no senior international can start more than six of the province’s first nine games. As such, the likes of Eoin Reddan, Shane Horgan, Leo Cullen and Cian Healy all drop out of the match day squad entirely.
And Luke Fitzgerald, Jonathan Sexton and Malcolm O’Kelly are named on the bench for the clash at Ravenhill.
Shane Jenning’s failed bid to overturn his 12-week ban affords Sean O’Brien another opportunity to make the number seven jersey his own and the Carlow man is determined to shine in an extremely competitive environment.
“There’s great competition for places so there’s no chance of players taking whatever opportunities that might come their way for granted,” he said today. “Look at someone like Kev (McLaughlin) who came on and scored two tries last weekend.
“With Hinesy (Nathan Hines) doing so well for us recently and players like Jenno (Shane Jennings), Keogher (Stephen Keogh) and Jamie (Heaslip) in the back-row, you have to be at your best.
“The Academy players are also putting pressure on all of us in training. It’s fiercely competitive, but it’s brilliant to be a part of that environment.”
Ulster had already omitted Paddy Wallace from their squad earlier in the week and, as ecxpected, Ian Whitten partners Darren Cave in the midfield.
Nigel Brady starts as hooker in place of Andy Kyriacou while Dan Tuohy comes in for Ed O’Donoghue.
Stephen Ferris has failed to prove his fitness and is replaced by Tamaiti Houra. Elsewhere, there are few surprises in Brian McLaughlin’s selection as the northern province seek to regain top spot in the Magners League.
“We know we have an opportunity to redeem ourselves (following the defeat in Edinburgh) this weekend and the fixture couldn’t be better,” the Ulster coach explained.
“The next two league games are massive; Leinster at Ravenhill then Munster at Thomond Park. This is our chance to show how far we’ve come as a team.”
Ulster:Clinton Schifcofske; Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Andrew Trimble; Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss; Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Tamaiti Horua; Ryan Caldwell, Dan Tuoh;, Brendon Botha, Nigel Brady, Tom Court. Replacements:Andy Kyriacou, Bryan Young, Ed O'Donoghue, Robbie Diack, Paul Marshall, Niall O'Connor, Simon Danielli
Leinster:Rob Kearney; Girvan Dempsey, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Shaun Berne, Chris Keane; Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Nathan Hines; Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements:John Fogarty, CJ van der Linde, Malcolm O'Kelly, Stephen Keogh, Simon Keogh, Jonathan Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald
