RABO DIRECT PRO12: Edinburgh v Leinster:THIS SEEMS like the usual unenviable trip to a cavernous, near empty Murrayfield until the ingredient of Michael Bradley is added to the pot. The 40-times capped Irish scrumhalf has already engineered victories over his former province, Connacht, and native Munster in this his first campaign as Edinburgh coach.
Otherwise, it has been a disappointing start to what was a surprise recruitment. They’ve lost their other four games in the league and currently lie second last, just ahead of Aironi.
Leinster, in contrast, achieved the 18-point target Joe Schmidt aimed for during the World Cup. That surely makes it easier to hold off several key internationals until next week’s clash with Munster.
Edinburgh welcome back Chris Paterson, Nick De Luca in the centre and the entire Scottish frontrow of Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford and Geoff Cross.
But this Leinster season has to be a slow burn. Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Eoin Reddan, Cian Healy, Seán O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip and the injured Shane Jennings are understandably granted an additional week to recover.
“Leinster will be very similar to ourselves – they have a lot of quality coming back,” said Bradley. “Leinster, as a squad, have been very strong for the last couple of years so the timing is good for us and the timing is good for Leinster and I think it will be a very good match.”
Schmidt has reintroduced Leo Cullen and Seán Cronin in his pack. Mike Ross also returns to anchor the scrum although with two props in reserve the overworked Cork man won’t be ploughing for the full 80 minutes. Richardt Strauss will not be too keen to make way for Cronin at hooker. Rob Kearney replaces Isa Nacewa as Schmidt begins a juggling act with his two premier 15s. Tough call ahead. Dave Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald will be equally mindful of staking a claim in case one of their slots is used to facilitate a natural fullback.
Fionn Carr is next in the queue but really the return of Fitzgerald to the left wing indicates his experiment at inside centre was merely to cover the loss of Fergus McFadden and D’Arcy.
McFadden and particularly Jonathan Sexton are others who may see this as the start of the process of reinforcing their credentials. Isaac Boss also comes in at scrumhalf with development player John Cooney providing cover as Cillian Willis did not receive an extension to his short-term contract.
Despite Leinster’s poor form at this venue of late, victory is well within their reach.
EDINBURGH:C Paterson; S Webster, N de Luca, M Scott, T Visser; H Leonard, G Laidlaw; A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Cross; E Lozada, S Turnbull; D Denton, R Grant, S McInally. Replacements: S Lawrie, K Traynor, L Niven, G Gilchrist, N Talei, M Blair, J Thompson, T Brown.
LEINSTER:R Kearney; D Kearney, E O'Malley, F McFadden, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, I Boss; H van der Merwe, S Cronin, M Ross; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; K McLaughlin, D Ryan, L Auva'a. replacements: R Strauss, J McGrath, N White, S Sykes, R Ruddock, J Cooney, I Madigan, F Carr.
Referee: L Hodges (WRU).
Verdict: Leinster win.
