Leinster have a loaded bench
Thu, 08 May 2008 14:36
The Leinster team to face the Newport Gwent Dragons in their final Magners League match of the season, at Rodney Parade in Newport on Friday, shows several changes to the starting line-up.
Leinster were crowned Magners League champions last Saturday already, taking an unassailable nine-point lead on the standings when they smashed Newport Gwent Dragons 41-8 in the first of their back-to-back encounters.
It was thus not surprising to see the names of a number of frontline players appear on the replacement bench, rather than in the starting XV, for this Friday's trip to Newport.
In the backline, Chris Keane starts at scrumhalf and partners Jonathan Sexton at flyhalf. Michael Berne partners skipper Brian O'Driscoll in the midfield, while Luke Fitzgerald joins Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey in the back three.
In the pack there are starts for Cian Healy, Brian Blaney and Stephen Knoop, with Devin Toner lining up alongside Trevor Hogan. Cameron Jowitt and Kevin McLaughlin both start in the back row alongside Stephen Keogh who moves to No.8.
Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly and Chris Whitaker are all named on a strong-looking bench.
Speaking ahead of Friday's Magners League game in Rodney Parade, Leinster and Ireland 'A' flyhalf Jonathan Sexton said that the squad are determined to finish a positive season on a high.
"We're all delighted to have won the league title last weekend, but we're determined to use this success as a stepping-stone to go on and really challenge for the Heineken Cup. There was a lot of talk about that after the game, and that has to be one of our main goals from next season.
"It is important that we remain consistent in the Magners League, because if you look at it, the great sides like Leicester and Wasps win or compete strongly in their domestic competitions on a regular basis.
"It was great to beat Munster home and away, beating Ulster at home on St. Stephens' Day was a good feeling, but I suppose the one constant source throughout the campaign was in playing in front of big crowds at the RDS.
"I played in the Last Stand in Lansdowne Road and we had half the numbers at the home game against Munster, but twice the volume. It was just incredible. Hopefully the supporters and the fan-base will continue to be a major part of our success for many years to come.
"Highlights from last weekend? The whole day was a highlight to be honest. There was a fair bit of anxiety in the build up, personally speaking, because the level of expectation was so high, but thankfully we managed to put in a strong performance and the celebrations afterwards were really special.
"I have enjoyed the whole season. I know that I benefited from Gordon [D'Arcy's] absence but I really learned a lot playing alongside him and Felipe [Contepomi] at No.12 as well as the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Christian Warner, Mick Berne and Fergus McFadden over the season.
"It has been great to play alongside all the backs, and in that regard Whits [Chris Whitaker] has been a massive help. He is a top class performer and has so much experience because he has achieved virtually everything you can in the game. He's willing to give you tips and encouragement and that gives you a lift during training and in matches.
"Being left out of the Heineken Cup squad once or twice really drove me on. I was especially pleased to come back to play in the last few games after the thumb injury I sustained against Leicester in January, because I thought that my season was over at that stage.
"I'm pleased with how things have progressed over the last few months. I feel as though I have established myself a bit more in the squad, but you can't be complacent because with Isa Nacewa and other new signings coming in it will be up to all of us to knuckle down over the summer and try to kick on.
"I see Friday's game as a huge one because it will present players with a chance to stake a claim for next year. I see the Dragons game as a great opportunity to step up to the plate and try to give the coaches some more options.
"The Dragons are dangerous with ball in hand. A few of the tries that they conceded were from turnovers, but we were conscious in the build up to last weekend that we needed to guard against their attacking threat."
Leinster: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Michael Berne, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Chris Keane, 8 Stephen Keogh, 7 Kevin McLaughlin, 6 Cameron Jowitt, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Trevor Hogan, 3 Stephen Knoop, 2 Brian Blaney, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Ronan McCormack, 18 Malcolm O'Kelly, 19 Richie Leyden, 20 Chris Whitaker, 21 Christian Warner, 22 Gary Brown.
Date: Friday, May 9
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
Kick-off: 19.10 (18.10 GMT)
Referee: Colin Stanley (IRFU)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (WRU), Gwyn Morris (WRU)
TMO: Huw Lewis (WRU)
