Leinster v Glasgow Warriors: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 24/10/15 3:44pm
Glasgow are boosted by the return of six Scotland internationals as they seek a first away win against Leinster since 2011.
The Warriors welcome back Sean Lamont, Richie Vernon, Duncan Weir, Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson and Kevin Bryce for the trip to Dublin, with three of them having featured in Sunday's controversial World Cup quarter-final loss to Australia.
Vernon starts at outside centre in place of the injured Alex Dunbar, with Lamont and Weir named at full-back and fly-half respectively.
Swinson partners Scott Cummings in the second row, with Wilson named in a back row alongside Simone Favaro, who makes his first start for the Warriors after coming off the bench to score the crucial fourth try against the Dragons last week.
Favaro's try gave Glasgow maximum points for the first time this campaign and head coach Gregor Townsend is hoping his side can build some momentum heading into a busy period.
"We were pleased to get back to winning ways last weekend and we're looking forward to the trip to face Leinster," said Townsend.
"We've been boosted by the return of some players from the Rugby World Cup, so competition for places has increased. It's important that we utilise our squad with 15 back-to-back games up until the beginning of February.
"We've had some great battles with Leinster over the years and we're expecting another one on Friday night."
Leinster suffered their second loss of the season at Scarlets last weekend but they have won both of their fixtures at the RDS.
Leo Cullen has made seven changes to his starting XV, with Ireland pair Rhys Ruddock and Mike McCarthy bolstering the pack and prop Tadhg Furlong named on the bench.
Rugby league convert Ben Te'o is named alongside Noel Reid in the centre after recovering from a calf injury, while Luke McGrath partners Cathal Marsh at half-back.
Leinster have lost just once at the RDS in their last 33 fixtures in all competitions, a 16-14 reverse to the Dragons last February.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa (c), 14 Garry Ringrose, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Cathal Marsh, 9 Luke McGrath; 1 Michael Bent, 2 Aaron Dundon, 3 Marty Moore, 4 Ross Molony, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Dominic Ryan, 20 Daniel Leavy, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Cian Kelleher.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Sean Lamont, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Richie Vernon, 12 Fraser Lyle, 11 Rory Hughes, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Mike Blair; 1 Alex Allan, 2 Pat MacArthur, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Rob Harley (c), 7 Simone Favaro, 8 Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Kevin Bryce, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Mike Cusack, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Adam Ashe, 21 Hugh Blake, 22 Grayson Hart, 23 Rory Clegg.
Watch Leinster v Glasgow live on Sky Sports 2 on Friday from 7.30pm. Catch the match with NOW TV for just £6.99
