MAGNERS LEAGUE: Newport v LeinsterTHERE'S NO right way, and there's no wrong, admits Michael Cheika, but for better or for worse he has taken this trek to the Dragons as his opportunity to rest all the frontliners who backboned Ireland's arduous November programme.
To a degree, his hand was forced by the six-day turnaround before returning to Wales for the pivotal Euro meeting away to pool leaders the Scarlets, but never have Leinster put out such an inexperienced line-up for a competitive fixture.
In addition to their mounting casualty list, Cheika has also rested a further 13 players this weekend including Jonathan Sexton’s probable stand-in Shaun Berne, on the basis that the Australian centre-cum-outhalf would be better served preparing with the remainder of the frontliners.
In addition to Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, the suspended Shane Jennings and Stanley Wright, who could make it back next week, Girvan Dempsey also suffered a freakish ankle injury in training earlier in the week which ruled him out of this game. A further nine Irish internationals involved in the November Tests, as well as Kevin McLaughlin, along with Isa Nacewa and Nathan Hines, have also been wrapped up for the European champions’ game next Saturday.
Cheika has still named a fairly strong tight five, featuring Bernard Jackman as captain along with CJ van der Linde and Malcolm O’Kelly, though they will have some minding to do. Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan will make their competitive debuts in the backrow – and by all accounts the highly-talented Ryan has been tearing up trees in training all season – as will centre Eoin O’Malley. There will also be a first League start for Blackrock’s free-running ex-Irish under-20 full-back Niall Morris, another exciting talent who really looked the part in pre-season and has progressed sharply this season.
Another accomplished Irish under-20 academy player, Ian McKinley, made his one competitive outing for Leinster at this ground in last season’s last-game dead rubber, while Dave Kearney will be making his third start of the season. In such callow company, Ireland A centre Fergus McFadden (six League appearances including four starts) is a relative senior pro.
“I know no one expects us to win but while I wouldn’t say we’re bullish, we’ve got a few good kicking options, and we’re very confident we can compete and play like Leinster do,” maintained Cheika yesterday. “We evaluated all our options very closely and we don’t feel it’s a risk. Obviously it’s going to be difficult but these are the decisions you just have to make some times. There’s no right or wrong way. But we’re definitely not going there with the mentality of sacrificing the points.”
Rodney Parade is a fairly run-down old ground compared to the swankier homes which their Welsh rivals have moved into, but ironically it’s probably the most atmospheric and is now home to the leading side in Wales. Leinster have struggled there even at full-strength, Cheika admits, and their only win there in their last four visits was by a point three years ago.
What’s more, Paul Turner’s spirited, well-organised side are playing a high-tempo brand of rugby and are unbeaten at Rodney Parade this season, which included the scalps of Glasgow in the Heineken Cup as well as a full-strength Sale Sharks in the LV Trophy.
Although missing Tom Willis and Hoani MacDonald, the Dragons welcome back Dan Lydiate and Luke Charteris from Welsh duty and their confidence has probably never been as high at this point in the season.
DRAGONS: J Tovey; A Brew, R G Davies, T Riley, R Fussell, J Arlidge, W Evans; H Gustafson, S Jones, P Palmer, R Sidoli, L Charteris (capt), D Lydiate, G Thomas, G Webb. Replacements: D Goodfield, P Bracken, H MacDonald, A Jones, M Thomas, W Harries, A Walker.
LEINSTER: N Morris; D Kearney, E O'Malley, F McFadden, Simon Keogh; I McKinley, C Keane; R McCormack, B Jackman (capt), CJ van der Linde, D Toner, M O'Kelly, R Ruddock, D Ryan, Stephen Keogh. Replacements: R Strauss, M Ross, T Hogan, P Ryan, P O'Donohoe, I Madigan, M Keating.
Referee: Simon McDowell (IRFU, 29th League game).
Previous meetings:(07-08) Leinster 41 Dragons 8; Dragons 31 Leinster 26; (08-09) Leinster 29 Dragons 13; Dragons 18 Leinster 9; (09-10) Leinster 23 Dragons 14.
Leading points scorers:Dragons – James Arlidge 47. Leinster – Jonathan Sexton 71, Fergus McFadden 18.
Forecast: Dragons to win.
