Joe Schmidt has named the Leinster team to face Ulster at Twickenham tomorrow, and it shows three changes from their semi-final win over Clermont.
It seems like a long time since Leinster overcame Clermont in Bordeaux and since then the Blue machine has kept rolling and, with a PRO12 final berth secured, all is looking well. They have suffered a few injury scares but only Luke Fitzgerald is an enforced change for Schmidt’s starting XV as he bids for back-to-back Heineken Cups.
Fitzgerald is out of action for a while with a neck injury so Fergus McFadden comes in for tomorrow’s final, with Isa Nacewa moving to 11. The other changes from the French clash sees Eoin Reddan start at scrum half ahead of Isaac Boss while Kevin McLaughlin will partner Sean O’Brien, as Shane Jennings drops to the replacements bench.
The other minor injury concerns have proven to be unfounded. Brian O’Driscoll, despite his lack of training this week, starts at 13, partnered by another small concern, Gordon D’Arcy.
Rob Kearney, who was rumoured to have a back injury, is also named at full-back in what looks like a typically strong, and talented Leinster XV.
Up front Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross will be the men charged with dealing with Ulster’s fierce scrum, with Sean Cronin and Heinke van der Merwe to call on if required from the replacements bench.
LEINSTER (v Ulster): Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen (capt), Brad Thorn, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Heinke van der Merwe, Nathan White, Devin Toner, Shane Jennings, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, David Kearney.
