Ospreys v Leinster
Liberty Stadium, 7.45pm Sky Sports, BBC Wales
Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier are young, healthy and playing like their rugby careers depend upon it yet there is no room for them in this Leo Cullen squad.
Much of the selection could mirror the Ireland XV, especially the backrow, come the Six Nations (CJ Stander or Rhys Ruddock at blindside with the other benched?), while Ben Te'o is entrusted to power Leinster over the gainline.
Luke Fitzgerald may be the Irish left winger next month but he remains at inside centre with Dave Kearney not for budging. All told, it puts a dent in Brian O’Driscoll’s assertion that Ringrose should wear 13 in Joe Schmidt’s next team. Regarding Van der Flier, it’s hard to argue with Dominic Ryan’s inclusion behind the starting flankers, such was his recent performance in the sacking of Thomond Park.
The Western Mail simplified this game as "Dan Biggar versus Jonny (sic) Sexton in epic fly-half battle". Not a bad way to flog tickets to the notoriously fickle Swansea masses who know rugby inside out.
Sexton is still in there, somewhere. You just can’t see him due to his present demeanour. The backrow trio are playing far too close to invincibility to be roared at but his centres have barely felt the shrapnel from his usual irritability.
The perception is that Ian Madigan becomes a better player sitting on the bench following that mature performance in Limerick on December 27th. But the belief in Sexton, the master craftsman, will remain.
He who will rise again. Maybe even this night in south Wales. If not now, then soon. If he doesn’t get hurt again. The New Year’s Day dunt was to a since-recovered knee.
Springing gathers
Biggar had a fine World Cup with those springing gathers of his own garryowens. Be no harm to see that party piece repeated but met by some Rob Kearney fielding; the Irish fullback is another certainty come the Six Nations opener in Dublin on February 7th yet he can boost the collective confidence with a return to expected form.
In theory, this game is made for the continued recuperation of Leinster’s season. Ospreys have the Champions Cup-defining visit of Clermont Auvergne next Friday so Steve Tandy has held Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Eli Walker back.
Cullen has gone back to those he trusts most. Those he soldiered alongside. That means no room in this flying column for Ringrose or van der Flier. It highlights the depth of the Leinster squad. Cian Healy (knee), Jack Conan and Hayden Triggs (both ankles) are unavailable, yet Ross Molony is unable to shift Tom Denton from the bench.
Luke McGrath gets another chance to climb the ladder as Isaac Boss is hamstrung and Eoin Reddan has played a lot of rugby recently. Noel Reid wears number 23 after playing himself out of the team before Christmas, just as Ringrose did the opposite. The whole midfield area really has become seriously competitive.
Pecking order
But Cullen goes for power here above all else. In the same breath he has reminded everyone of the pecking order and how it will not change overnight. That is a bit of shame but no one in their right mind would debate the value of Te’o (proven by his imminent departure to Worcester for an improved salary), and Fitzgerald has returned to the stunning attacker of old since the Argentina match.
“It’s a long, long season,” Cullen reminded us in December. “Garry and others will get plenty of opportunities.”
For now, those others remain below the established group but a defeat here and their prospects of playing when the Champions Cup dead rubbers resume next week will be enhanced.
But that seems unlikely. Unless Tipuric and Wyn Jones make a telling impact, Leinster look well equipped to make it seven successive wins in the Pro12.
