Preview

Leinster team to face Ospreys…

October 11, 2013 / client

The Leinster team to face the Ospreys in Saturday evening’s opening Heineken Cup clash in the Liberty Stadium (KO: 6pm) has been named…

There’s a new look at half back where Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss will link up with Jimmy Gopperth, who makes his first European appearance for the province at out-half.

It’s a case of youth and experience at centre where Leinster’s most capped player Gordon D’Arcy (who is set to make his 226th appearance) will partner European debutant Brendan Macken, who starts at outside centre in what will also be the 22-year-old’s fifth appearance of the season.

Dave Kearney and Fergus McFadden will be joined in a strong back three by Rob Kearney, who makes his 135th outing in Leinster colours.

The pack is unchanged from the one that started last weekend with Jamie Heaslip once more leading the team and he will be flanked in the back-row once more by Kevin McLaughlin and Sean O’Brien.

Cian Healy will once more partner fellow Ireland front-rowers Sean Cronin (lining out for the 55th time) and Mike Ross, with Devin Toner locking down alongside Mike McCarthy.

Incidentally, Ireland duo McLaughlin and Curragh man McFadden will both be making their 99 career appearances for their home province in Swansea.

The Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC) can confirm the following international coverage of the game this weekend:

UK & Ireland – Live on Sky Sports 2 from 6pm Saturday
USA – Live on Fox Soccer Plus from 1pm Saturday
Canada – Live of Sportsnet World from 1pm Saturday
South Africa – Live on Super Sport 8 from 1pm Saturday
Middle East – Live on Al Jazeera +3 from 8pm Mecca Saturday
Asia – Live on Eurosport Asia from 1am HKT Sunday
Australia – Live on Setanta Sports from 4am EDT Sunday
New Zealand – Live on The Rugby Channel from 6am Sunday
Radio – Live on RTE Radio 1. On radio, on line and via smartphone app
Twitter – www.twitter.com/leinsterrugby

Our bases in London (Philomeana’s), NYC (Madhatter Saloon), Dubai (McGettigans), Sydney (PJ Gallagher’s @ Criterion) and Christchurch (Monza Sports Bar) will all be showing the game LIVE.

See our Blue Planet guide for other rugby friendly venues around the world.

Supporters can also download the OLSC’s Away Guide for Ospreys here.

OSPREYS:

15: Richard Fussell
14: Ben John
13: Andrew Bishop
12: Ashley Beck
11: Eli Walker
10: Dan Biggar
9: Tito Tebaldi

1: Duncan Jones
2: Richard Hibbard
3: Adam Jones
4: Alun Wyn Jones CAPTAIN
5: James King
6: Ryan Jones
7: Justin Tipuric
8: Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Scott Baldwin
17: Ryan Bevington
18: Aaron Jarvis
19: Tyler Ardron
20: Sam Lewis
21: Thomas Habberfield
22: Matthew Morgan
23: Jeff Hassler

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Brendan Macken
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Dave Kearney
10: Jimmy Gopperth
9: Isaac Boss

1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: Devin Toner
5: Mike McCarthy
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O’Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Martin Moore
19: Quinn Roux
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Luke Fitzgerald