Leinster look to make home advantage count at RDS

By Brendan Cole

Leinster v Connacht at the RDS Arena. Friday - 1935 kick-off

Connacht have given Leinster plenty of difficult outings over the last few seasons, but rarely can these two sides have fielded two such evenly matched teams.

This contest is often closer than the resource gap between the sides suggests it should be. The Westerners have yet to win at the RDS, but they have never been closer than last year, when Leinster needed a last-ditch penalty try to stave off defeat.

Pat Lam's men confirmed their status as Irish rugby's good news story with a last-ditch victory in Bayonne last weekend.

The fact that Connacht are able to make 14 changes after a win and name as strong a side as this after that achievement is remarkable. This is arguably the strongest Connacht backline ever to take the field with the centre and fullback combination of Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw and Mils Muliaina having a dream team feel to it.

Leinster, in contrast, remain under a pall despite a hard-fought victory over Harlequins. They also ring the changes with seven new faces coming in.

The selection in the front row is risky, with frontline tighthead Mike Ross given the night off, and Jack McGrath only among the substitutes.

Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon and Tadhg Furlong are selected to start, and much will rest on the shoulders of tighthead Furlong at the scrum; this clash should give good insight into the 22-year-old's prospects of making a push for the Irish squad.

The back row is arguably Leinster's strongest unit in this XV with a no-nonsense trio of Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip capable of getting through a heavy workload with minimum fuss. The occasional big play is also needed from somewhere and Leinster could really do with getting a prominent performance from their southern hemisphere import Kane Douglas.

Once again, the backline is a collection of talented individuals, but that has been the case for most of the season. Dave Kearney is back in the line-up after returning from injury while Luke Fitzgerald is given another chance in the 13 jersey after some lively outings over the last month or so. Scores are being produced, but only from a limited range of situations.

Connacht will feel they have edges in a few places around the field, having picked close to their strongest side with Kieran Marmion at scrumhalf, and that powerful trio at the heart of the backline key to their chances.

Leinster cannot bank on getting set-piece dominance, but with home advantage they should be able to grind out another win.

Prediction: Leinster 19-11 Connacht

Leinster: 15. Rob Kearney, 14. Zane Kirchner, 13. Luke Fitzgerald, 12. Noel Reid, 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Isaac Boss, 1. Michael Bent, 2. Aaron Dundon, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Kane Douglas, 6. Kevin McLaughlin, 7. Shane Jennings, 8. Jamie Heaslip (captain).

Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Maks Van Dyk, 19. Jack Conan, 20. Jordi Murphy, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Cathal Marsh, 23. Gordon D'Arcy.

Connacht: 15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Danie Poolman, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Matt Healy, 10. Jack Carty, 9. Kieran Marmion, 1. Denis Buckley, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Rodney Ah You, 4. Quinn Roux, 5. Aly Muldowney, 6. John Muldoon (captain), 7. Eoin McKeon, 8. George Naoupu

Replacements: 16. Dave Heffernan, 17. Ronan Loughney, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Ultan Dillane, 20. Willie Faloon, 21. Caolin Blade, 22. Craig Ronaldson, 23. Darragh Leader.

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