Leinster's maturing young guns relishing their return to the Dragons' den

RUGBY:IN DECEMBER 2009 then Leinster coach Michael Cheika took the uncharacteristic decision to expose his young guns to the meanness of a Magners League encounter in deep winter, deep in Newport.

The lesson meted out by the Dragons seemed overly harsh. Did all these players need to be fielded all at once? It seemed like it would have a detrimental effect on their progress. Dragons won 30-14 as the likes of Eoin O’Malley, Fergus McFadden, Dave Kearney, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan were left bruised and seemingly out of their depth.

Now say that to their face.

The development of these players this season has been largely down to Joe Schmidt utilising them to figure out what they are made of. Most have responded in a positive manner, to such an extent that Ryan and Ruddock probably see themselves as potential starters in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leicester on Saturday week.

But there is no room in the backrow unless they force an older team-mate onto the bench.

Ian McKinley and Niall Morris also featured that evening but are not selected tomorrow, although their progress this season has been noted. Kearney only makes the bench as Schmidt facilitates the return of Shane Horgan from injury, while the mental healing process of Luke Fitzgerald, after a forgettable Six Nations at fullback, begins immediately at left wing, the position that saw him capped by the Lions.

Isa Nacewa makes up the back three at fullback, where he has continued to excel, as have Leinster, despite the loss of so many to the Ireland squad these past two months.

Jonathan Sexton returns straight away to outhalf, while Eoin Reddan is on the bench, with the younger and equally vibrant centre partnership of O’Malley and McFadden poised to do damage. McFadden is another on the verge of becoming a starting option, be it at 12 or wing. Either way, a senior international is about to suffer due to his inevitable promotion.

The Dragons are missing Welsh flanker Dan Lydiate and injured captain Tom Willis, but it is the coaching upheaval in February that really has them out of kilter. Darren Edwards is acting head coach as they will not install a permanent replacement for Paul Turner until the summer.

Although Jamie Heaslip and Nathan Hines can come in if required, their seems to be enough about the starting pack to suggest they can dominate. Leo Cullen will certainly be keen to get 80 minutes as opposed to the dribs and drabs afforded him in an Ireland jersey of late. The return to peak fitness of Kevin McLaughlin and Stan Wright will also be facilitated here.

From a wider perspective, this match represents a stepping stone to greater occasions: Munster in Thomond Park next weekend, before the do-or-die scenario as Leicester, the champions of England, come to the Aviva Stadium.

Yet, from a purely Magners League standpoint, the value of four points is vital to keep the chasing Ulster and Cardiff Blues at bay while pursuit continues of second-placed Ospreys and a home semi-final in May.

Really it is a minor fixture in a season of major ones. But try explaining that to the young men who were battered around this pitch just over a year ago.

DRAGONS: M Thomas; W Harries, A Hughes, T Riley, A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans; l Price, L Burns, D Way; L Charteris (capt), A Jones; J Bearman, L Evans, T Faletau. Replacements: S Jones, H Gustafson, B Castle, A Brown, G Thomas, M Pewtner, M Jones, J Evans.

LEINSTER: I Nacewa; S Horgan, E O’Malley, F McFadden, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, S Wright; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; K McLaughlin, D Ryan, R Ruddock. Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, S Shawe, N Hines, J Heaslip, E Reddan, I Madigan, D Kearney.

Referee: A Macpherson (SRU).

Verdict: Leinster to win.