The Physical scars of last Friday night's defeat by Munster are easily discernible in Leinster's team-sheet for Saturday's European Cup clash with Begles-Bordeaux in France. Decimated by injury, Leinster have made eight changes for another potentially bruising encounter.
Coach Mike Ruddock might reasonably ponder the vagaries of fate, how a season which promised so much threatens to implode, principally because of a growing queue for physiotherapist Alan Kelly's treatment table. Victor Costello (ribs), Trevor Brennan (leg), Derek Hegarty (collar bone), Brian Carey (knee) and John McWeeney (eye surgery) were ruled out through injury.
Craig Brownlie, Emmet Byrne and Pat Holden have been afforded a deserved respite from the physical punishment of a demanding season, although none sought a rest. What is perhaps surprising, is that for all the changes, there could have been even more, albeit for lapses in form.
Alan McGowan, Shane Byrne and even captain Gabriel Fulcher have been fortunate to survive in the climate of change: each is capable of better. Ruddock has decided against the infusion of young blood, citing the need for experience and cool heads for the trip to Bordeaux.
That is manifest in the selection of Kurt McQuilkin, recently retired from representative rugby and now recalled, and perhaps more surprisingly the return of David O'Mahony in preference to national panelist Ciaran Scally. Leinster's injury problems at centre have long reached epidemic proportions - seven players are sidelined - and so it was to last year's captain that Ruddock turned.
"Kurt offers the experience and physical presence that I think will be required for the Begles match. The catalogue of injury limited the choice but even then I believe Kurt is ideally suited to the demands that will be imposed.
"We need to be defensively solid. In the case of David O'Mahony I was looking for similar characteristics. David is one of the best rugby players with whom I have ever worked. When young Hegarty got the spot by virtue of his form, we decided to go for a balance on the bench and we felt that Ciaran Scally could make an impact, pick the game up, if called upon.
"The demands on Saturday, in relation to the team that has been picked are different. David is a good tactician, an excellent organiser, particularly of the back row and it is those leadership qualities for which I am looking. It will be a hostile environment."
Reggie Corrigan returns to the front row, Hubie Kos will partner Fulcher in the second, while the back row is completely changed. Perennial substitute Declan O'Brien starts as does Pat Ward with Lansdowne's Colin McEntee included at number eight.
Munster have made one change from the side that hammered Leinster in the inter-provincial decider for Saturday's European Cup encounter with Perpignan at Thomond Park. Cork Constitution wing Anthony Horgan returns after missing the Donnybrook match through injury. John Lacey steps down.
Coach Declan Kidney has yet to finalise the seven replacements, preferring to name 10 until the severity of bumps and bruises are known. Alan Quinlan once again sat out yesterday's Irish squad training while Peter Clohessy retired early with ankle damage. Both will be given every opportunity to prove their fitness.
Irish coach Warren Gatland concluded the three-day squad get-together with a brief morning work-out which lasted an hour at King's Hospital. Eric Elwood's dead leg prevented him from training, along with the others sidelined for the past few days.
Rob Henderson rested a groin problem while Dion O'Cuinneagain was excused because he was due to play for Sale against Richmond. For the record, Paul Wallace, Victor Costello, Trevor Brennan and David Humphreys were once again bystanders. The squad will reconvene in Cork on Sunday night, and train on Monday and Tuesday before being whittled down for the World Cup qualifiers.
Leinster: K Nowlan; D Hickie, S Horgan, K McQuilkin, G Dempsey; A McGowan, D O'Mahony; R Corrigan, S Byrne, A McKeen; G Fulcher (capt), H Kos; D O'Brien, C McEntee, P Ward. Replacements: C Clarke, R Murphy, C Scally, E Byrne, P Smyth, L Cullen, C Brownlie.
Munster: B Roche; J Kelly, K Keane, R Ellison, A Horgan; B Everitt, P Stringer; P Clohessy, M McDermott, J Hayes; M Galwey, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, A Foley, E Halvey. Replacements (from): C Mahony, T Tierney, M Lynch, B Walsh, J Lacey, D Clohessy, F Sheahan, S Leahy, D Corkery, D Wallace.
English Premiership club Sale secured what they regard as a vital piece in their jigsaw for the future when they completed the signing of Gloucester hooker Phil Greening yesterday.
