Dragons v Leinster, Rodney Parade (Friday, 7.45pm, live on TG4, Premier Sports)
Change brings opportunity, a sentiment that applies as much to Josh Ericson as it does to a handful of Ireland internationals who won’t want to be considered surplus to requirements when the Champions Cup rolls into town on Saturday week. It’s just the scale of the chance that’s different.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has decided to rest his Ireland contingent after the rigours of November Tests for the short scoot across the Irish Sea. RG Snyman, who won a 50th cap for South Africa in the victory over Ireland, gets to experience the delights of Newport.
The 22-year-old Ericson has a far rugby lineage, his dad, Moray played for Southland in New Zealand where he’s from, while his mum, Pamela, captained Old Belvedere, the club for whom her son now plays. Josh, who can play across the backrow, was invited to join the Leinster academy last month.
He would have made his debut against Cardiff in a preseason friendly in Tallaght, but a hamstring injury denied him the chance. The Skerries native attended Scoil Réalt na Mara, before going on to Skerries Community College, the alma mater of Ciarán Frawley.
RM Block
Ericson is very much a sports’ all-rounder having played Gaelic football with Skerries Harps, represented Skerries Athletics Club while also lining out for Skerries RFC before electing to concentrate on rugby. He is named among the replacements.
Jimmy O’Brien gets to continue in the fullback jersey in the continued absence of Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne. Joshua Kenny (22), who scored two tries last time out against Zebre, is named on the right wing with Jordan Larmour on the left. Hugh Cooney has Ciarán Frawley for company in the midfield.
There is a school of thought that inside centre in Frawley’s best position, so there’ll be plenty of interest in how he fares. Harry Byrne’s form since returning from his loan in Bristol has been first class, evidenced in player-of-the-match performances both for his province and the Ireland XV in the win over Spain in Madrid.
Given a reasonable platform from the pack Fintan Gunne’s quicksilver service is a boon for the team. Speaking of forwards, the frontrow of Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson, internationals all, will be trying their hardest to deliver a high-calibre display and in doing so fight for a jersey for the Harlequins game.
In some respects, that’s a theme that applies to the prospects of most of the pack. James Ryan’s suspension opens an avenue, whether that’s for a fit again, Joe McCarthy or for today’s engine room occupants, Diarmuid Mangan and Brian Deeny. Two-try Alex Soroka and Scott Penny were both excellent in the win over Zebre.
Soroka’s overall quality in defence, attack and lineout makes him a strong contender for the six jersey that will be vacated by the unfortunate Ryan Baird. Soroka, Mangan and Leinster captain for the trip to Wales Max Deegan will all have an eye on that shirt, so too potentially, Jack Conan.
On the bench Jerry Cahir celebrated his debut last time out with a try, while the presence of Rabah Slimani, Snyman and Luke McGrath, provides a great deal of “know-how”, to call upon. Charlie Tector enjoyed some fine performances at centre last year while age-grade international Reuben Moloney, a fullback who can play on the wing, is in line for a second cap.
The Dragons are without wing Rio Dyer, secondrow Ben Carter, number eight Aaron Wainwright, hooker Brodie Coghlan and tighthead prop Christian Coleman who are in action with Wales against the Springboks on Saturday afternoon.
Angus O’Brien, Aneurin Owen, Rhodri Williams, Matthew Screech and Thomas Young are players who can cause any opponents problems in a variety of guises. Cai Evans, son of Lions and Wales great, Ieuan, is a running threat, good aerially and a place-kicker of note.
On the bench is Belfast-born Niall Armstrong who joined the Welsh club, having studied in Exeter and played with the Chiefs in the English Premiership.
Leinster are substantial favourites but as the first 30 minutes or so of the win over Zebre demonstrated they need to bring a relentless focus and integrity to their patterns. There is so much to play for on an individual and collective basis that there cannot be a scintilla of complacency. That should ensure the desired result for the visitors.
Dragons: A O’Brien (capt); C Evans, D Richards, A Owen, H Anderson; T de Beer, R Williams; D Kelleher-Griffiths, O Burrows, R Hunt: S Davies, M Screech: R Woodman, T Young, M Martin. Replacements: W Austin, W Jones, O James, L Douglas, S Lewis-Hughes, N Armstrong, J Westwood, E Rosser.
Leinster: J O’Brien; J Kenny, H Cooney, C Frawley, J Larmour; H Byrne, F Gunne; J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; B Deeny, D Mangan; A Soroka, S Penny, M Deegan (capt). Replacements: J McKee, J Cahir, R Slimani, RG Snyman, J Ericson, L McGrath, C Tector, R Moloney.
Referee: M Ferreira (South Africa)
