Opportunity knocks for some young, indigenous players out west this evening in an extensive cast list which also features Brian O'Driscoll's farewell appearance at the Sportsground. Arguably though, the most intriguing selection in a strong Leinster line-up is that of Jordi Murphy at openside.
The 22-year-old has been enjoying a breakthrough season on the back of some superbly athletic, potent form, heretofore primarily as a number eight or six. Matt O'Connor's decision to pick him at seven alongside Rhys Ruddock and Jamie Heaslip can thus be interpreted as a desire to accommodate his most in-form loose forward trio from those fit.
Bearing in mind the gaping hole left by Seán O'Brien's injury, both for Leinster's concluding pool games in the Heineken Cup and the Six Nations, Murphy has also now joined the foot race to fill that gaping void along with Munster's Tommy O'Donnell and Chris Henry. Joe Schmidt and John Plumtree will assuredly be fascinated to see how Murphy goes in a position where he played much of his formative years with Blackrock.
In addition to Murphy, the other positional switch sees Zane Kirchener move to wing to accommodate Rob Kearney, one of ten players recalled by O’Connor, along with the likes of O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Ian Madigan and Eoin Reddan in a stellar backline.
Indeed, the net effect sees Leinster start with a dozen internationals, and with Martin Moore, believed to have signed a new deal with the province despite more lucrative offers from Castres, Racing and Exeter, and Tom Denton preferred to Mike Ross and Mike McCarthy, they have another four Test players on the bench.
Eye-catching selection
By contrast injury depleted Connacht have just two internationals in their starting line-up, and one on the bench. Pat Lam's most eye-catching selection is outhalf Jack Carty for his first competitive start after three appearances on the bench.
The 21-year-old from Athlone, who is in his third year of the increasingly productive Connacht academy, is one of three changes in an all-Irish qualified backline with an average age of 22, although the absence of experienced players such as Gavin Duffy, Danie Poolman and Frank Murphy makes Carty’s selection ahead of Dan Parks all the more curious. That said, Carty will be partnered by the recalled Kieran Marmion, who will be making his 44th consecutive appearance since his debut at the start of last season. Another academy player, 20-year-old Darragh Leader, makes his first competitive start at fullback.
The pack remains unchanged from the disappointing defeat against a largely second-string Munster a week ago, with John Muldoon again pressed into service as a converted openside in place of their find of the season, Jake Heenan, with Andrew Browne becoming the seventh Connacht player to make his 100th cap for the province.
As usual, the stats weigh heavily against Connacht, whose stunning 34-6 rout of Leinster early last season remains their only win in the sides’ last seven meetings, and since when they have lost eight Irish derbies in a row. Admittedly, they were controversially denied a win at the RDS in October when referee David Wilkinson sinbinned Marmion and Ronan Loughney before awarding Leinster a late match-winning penalty try.
Insomuch as a very mixed weather forecast allows, it would be nice to see Connacht’s greenhorns match up against Leinster’s wily performers. Leinster’s heavyweight selection may also swell the attendance and, in time-honoured fashion, inspire Connacht.
There and elsewhere though, despite the efficiency of Connacht’s set-piece and the brio of their callow backline, Leinster look to have considerably more firepower.
