Leinster looking for pre-Euro win
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:32
Leinster coach Michael Cheika said his team is "determined" to get back to their winning ways when they face a highly-rated Connacht side in a Magners League clash at the Sportsground, Galway, on Sunday.
The Leinster squad features Stephen Keogh, Gary Brown, new signing Simon Keogh, Felix Jones and Fergus McFadden.
They are joined in the 23-man squad by Wallaby flank Rocky Elsom and Springbok World Cup-winning prop CJ Van Der Linde, who both made their debuts last weekend.
They feature in a squad that includes the likes of Ireland internationals Leo Cullen, Luke Fitzgerald, Trevor Hogan, Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney as well as Argentina's Felipe Contepomi.
Cheika admitted that his team is facing a tough challenge.
"It's a very important game for us in terms of how we are going to manage these next four weeks," said Cheika.
"We're going to look to use our whole squad over the next four weeks and we'll have to make sure that everyone makes a contribution to the team.
"Some guys are going to get an opportunity to get selected for Europe [Heineken Cup competition].
"So it's a big game, in all respects for us, because we know how tough it is to win down there. They'll be looking to bounce back from getting beaten away from home last weekend [[against Cardiff], so we've got to be ready to fight for everything, but we've also got to play smart football.
"Some guys from the 'A' squad have put their hand up for selection so we'll see what happens there. Cian Healy picked up a knock in the 'A' game so we'll wait and see how he comes up when we pick the side."
Leinster squad:
Forwards: Cian Healy, Stan Wright, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, CJ Van Der Linde, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt, Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh.
Backs: Chris Keane, Chris Whitaker, Felipe Contepomi, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Luke Fitzgerald, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Felix Jones, Rob Kearney.
Date: Sunday, October 5
Venue: Sportsground, Galway
Kick-off: 18.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Touch judges: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), John Lacey (Ireland)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
