Guinness Pro12 preview: Jamie Heaslip back in action for Leinster against Scarlets
Last Updated: 12/09/14 3:40pm
Jamie Heaslip is back to captain Leinster against Scarlets in Saturday’s solitary Guinness Pro12 fixture.
Also making their seasonal bow are fellow internationals Rob Kearney who starts at full-back and Devin Toner, who partners Mike McCarthy in the second row.
With Kearney returning to full-back Zane Kirchner moves to the right wing with Darragh Fanning again selected on the left wing. The St. Mary's club man has now started all four of Leinster's games this season.
Brendan Macken starts at outside centre with Ian Madigan selected at inside. Madigan came on at inside centre for Noel Reid after only 40 seconds in last week's game against Glasgow. Matt O'Connor confirmed yesterday that Reid's ankle injury is not as bad as first expected and expects him to be back within a number of weeks rather than months.
Isaac Boss, who made his 100th appearance for Leinster last weekend, starts again at nine with Jimmy Gopperth selected as his half-back partner.
Williams returns
After his try scoring performance off the bench last Jack McGrath starts at loosehead with Mike Ross on the other side of the front row. Sean Cronin starts at hooker.
Toner and McCarthy are in the second row, while in the back row, Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings and Heaslip complete the pack.
Meanwhile, the Scarlets will be looking to build on the positives, which included four tries, during last week's thrilling 32-32 draw with Ulster at Parc y Scarlets.
Scarlets full-back Liam Williams is named in the starting XV having been cleared of any playing suspension following his red card (after two yellows) in the opening clash against Ulster last weekend.
Scott Williams is joined in the centre by Gareth Owen, who replaces the injured Regan King, whilst Jordan Williams comes in on the wing to replace the injured Michael Tagicakibau.
The only change to the pack sees Aaron Shingler replace Rob McCusker who moves to the replacements bench.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Zane Kirchner, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Ian Madigan, 11 Darragh Fanning, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Ben Marshall, 20 Kevin McLaughlin, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Steve Crosbie, 23 Mick McGrath.
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Jordan Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Rory Pitman, 7 John Barclay, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Johan Snyman, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Rhodri Jones, 2 Ken Owens (c), 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 Richard Kelly, 20 Rob McCusker, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Adam Warren.
