Quinlan replaces sidelined Hickie

Denis Hickie, still sidelined for a mandatory three weeks as a result of the concussion he sustained against the Wallabies, and…

Denis Hickie, still sidelined for a mandatory three weeks as a result of the concussion he sustained against the Wallabies, and Eric Miller, still troubled by a groin strain, are the only notable absentees from an otherwise full-strength Leinster which will host the Scottish Borders in a friendly at Donnybrook tonight (7.30).

David Quinlan, nominally an inside centre, will play in place of Hickie - who will also miss Leinster's European Cup match away to Montferrand next week - although encouragingly for Matt Williams's team, both Nathan Spooner and Peter McKenna are named on the replacements' bench after long-term absences.

Tonight's starting line-up features eight of the Irish side who started against both Australia and Argentina, as well as Leo Cullen, a replacement in those games. Paul Wallace, despite the troublesome ankle injury which ruled him out of Ireland's autumn schedule, has been named to play.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Quinlan, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; C Warner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Wallace, L Cullen, M O'Kelly, A McCullen, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: E Byrne, G Hickie, A Kearney, D Dillon, B O'Riordan/B Willis, N Spooner, P McKenna/A Magro/D Blaney.

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Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley is Rugby Correspondent of The Irish Times