Leinster v Ospreys: Teams
Lions and Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald has been named at full-back for Leinster's clash with the Ospreys.
Last Updated: 07/01/11 9:52pm
Lions and Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald has been named at full-back for Leinster's clash with the Ospreys.
Fitzgerald will form part of an All-Ireland backline alongside Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Fergus McFadden, Jonathan Sexton and Eoin Reddan for the repeat of the 2009/10 Magners League final.
The only debate for the Dublin-based province is over who will be the last back replacement with Eoin O'Malley bracketed in with Isa Nacewa.
Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson is expecting a difficult encounter over in Ireland.
Johnson said: "They don't come much harder in terms of the Magners League than Leinster away, so we know the size of the challenge we face at the weekend.
"We did pretty well out there last year but there's no doubting they are a formidable side. It's not an easy place to go and win."
In the absence of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric will skipper the side for the first time.
Jonathan Spratt, Ben Lewis, Ben John, Shane Williams, Conor McInerney, Lee Byrne and Jerry Collins are all missing through injury.
Leinster: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Clint Newland, 19 Nathan Hines, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Eoin O'Malley/Isa Nacewa.
Ospreys: 15 Barry Davies, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Justin Tipuric (capt), 6 Tom Smith, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 James Goode, 20 Jonathan Thomas, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 James Hook, 23 Gareth Owen.