Schmidt opts for back line flair

RUGBY:WHAT'S IN a number? Well on the strength of Luke Fitzgerald donning the number 12 jersey tonight, it offers an interesting aside to the clash of the 2010 league finalists. The Ireland and Lions player has deputised for Brian O'Driscoll in the past in the outside centre role (13) but according to the team-sheet that remit will be fulfilled by Eoin O'Malley.

The midfield pairing may elect to mix and match, swapping roles on the strength of defence, attack or position on the pitch. Fitzgerald possesses brilliant feet and it would be instructive to see how he copes with the demands of the inside centre position.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has plumped for a back line chock-full of pace and flair. Fionn Carr has made an auspicious start on his return to his native province, David Kearney offered a better representation of his talent last season while Isa Nacewa is quite simply an inspirational presence and a brilliant footballer to boot.

Former Canterbury Crusaders pivot Mat Berquist impressed on his debut against the Melbourne Rebels and his understanding with former Ireland Under-20 scrumhalf John Cooney – they make their competitive bows for the province tonight – will have a pivotal influence on the team’s game management.

Those who looks to historical evidence may care to note the Welsh franchise have won their opening match on the four previous occasions in which they played at home while the visitors have managed just a single success on the first weekend (2007).

Leinster though have won seven of their last nine encounters with the Ospreys, four at tonight’s venue, the Liberty Stadium. If the Irish province can win a reasonable supply of possession then they possess the strike power behind the scrum to score tries.

OSPREYS: R Fussell; K Phillips, A Bishop, A Beck, H Dirksen; D Biggar, R Webb; D Jones, M Davies, C Griffiths; I Gough, I Evans; T Smith, J Tipuric (capt), J Thomas. Replacements: M Dwyer, K Dowding, J Rees, J King, M Allen, T Isaacs, M Morgan, S Parker.

LEINSTER: I Nacewa; F Carr, E O’Malley, L Fitzgerald, D Kearney; M Berquist, J Cooney; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, J Hagan; D Browne, D Toner; K McLaughlin, D Ryan, R Ruddock (capt). Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, J O’Connell, M Flanagan, L Auva’a, C Willis, I Madigan, B Macken.

Referee: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU).