There is far less margin for error facing Leinster coach Matt O'Connor over the coming fortnight than Joe Schmidt's journey through November with Ireland. This is O'Connor's Samoa and he picked a starting XV accordingly, funnelling in as many internationals as the medics would permit.
It was blatantly obvious Brian O’Driscoll (concussion), Rob Kearney (ribs), Jamie Heaslip (240 game minutes for Ireland), Devin Toner (216 minutes), Seán O’Brien and Cian Healy need to recharge the batteries. As vibrant a club as Leinster, especially after last Sunday’s victory in Treviso, can facilitate this process and be stronger for it.
Gordon D'Arcy was eager to return along with those who played more cameo than leading roles for Ireland of late. The importance of keeping Mike Ross ticking over sees him on the bench while Luke Fitzgerald goes to left wing, Ian Madigan gets the nod ahead of Jimmy Gopperth with the pack bolstered by Jack McGrath and Mike McCarthy.
Kearney sidelined
Dave Kearney is kept on ice, a worry for the newly-established Test winger as Fitzgerald and Lote Tuqiri won't be easily shifted. One also imagines Zane Kirchner being accommodated in the backline for next weekend's trip to Franklin Gardens. "We run it as we see fit once we get to the massive games and the Heineken Cup, " said O'Connor this week. "You pick who is going to get you a result."
Leinster’s target from back-to-back meetings with Northampton is a minimum of eight points. Not that O’Connor is ignoring the next generation. Luke McGrath covers Eoin Reddan at scrumhalf and Brendan Macken is retained at 13.
Leo Cullen makes his first start of the campaign, but Shane Jennings is the captain, a decision that indicates Toner’s increased stature and guaranteed return next week.
The Scarlets are stripped bare by the Wales versus Australia game as tighthead prop Rhodri Jones, centre Scott Williams, hooker Ken Owens, lock Samson Lee, scrumhalf Rhodri Williams, winger Liam Williams and outhalf Rhys Priestland are missing. At least Scottish flanker John Barclay and Romanian prop Horatiu Pungea return.
Still, betting on a Leinster defeat in Simmonscourt nowadays seems daft. It’s the combinations on show and unseasonably mild forecast that should draw the crowd in tonight.
Leinster: Z Kirchner; L Tuqiri, B Macken, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; I Madigan, E Reddan; J McGrath, A Dundon, M Moore; L Cullen, M McCarthy; R Ruddock, S Jennings (capt), J Murphy. Replacements: S Cronin, M Bent, M Ross, T Denton, Dominic Ryan, L McGrath, J Gopperth, D Fanning.
Scarlets: G Owen; N Reynolds, G Maule, A Warren, N Reynolds; A Thomas, G Davies; P John (capt), K Myhill, J Adriaanse; J Ball, J Synman; A Shingler, J Barclay, S Timani. Replacements: E Phillips, R Evans, H Pungea, R Kelly, J Turnbull, A Davies, J Lewis, J Williams.
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU).
