Team news: Denis Hickie will earn his landmark 100th cap when he lines-out on the wing for Leinster as they take on Connacht in Sunday's Celtic League clash at Donnybrook.
The British and Irish Lion will join three of his current provincial team-mates, Reggie Corrigan, Brian O’Meara and Girvan Dempsey, in reaching the ton and will become the sixth Leinster player to reach the milestone after Shane Byrne and Victor Costello.
"Sunday will be a very proud day for me, I’ve enjoyed a lot of good times with Leinster," said Hickie reflecting on his nine-year career with the Blues. "There have been a lot of changes in rugby since I made my debut back in ’96. The only thing that I remember from my debut in Genoa was that it was a pre-season tour and was the last of the good old amateur trips under Ciaran Callan, Paul Dean and Jim Glennon as Manager.
"I was 19 at the time and I just remember playing alongside stalwarts of Leinster rugby such as Chris Pim and Alain Rolland. At the time I never thought that I would make 100 appearances.
"Looking back I remember a high-scoring defeat to Munster in Donnybrook, 34-31 I think it was. That was a brilliant game to be a part of because the old-fashioned Interpro series had so much meat to them, partly because the games were seen as unofficial ‘Trial’ games for Ireland and because there wasn’t the same degree of familiarity as there is now.
Hickie will form a strong back line that includes, Girvan Dempsey, Kieran Lewis, Rob Kearney and Felipe Contepomi who captains the side.
In the pack, Cameron Jowitt returns from injury and partners Bryce Williams in the second row with Leinster player of the month Keith Gleeson forming a powerful back-row alongside Eric Miller and Jamie Heaslip.
On an weekend when the Irish provinces are pitted against each other, Leinster will hope to keep the pressure on table-toppers Munster, who take on second-placed Ulster at Ravenhill. Kick-off against Connacht, who are at the foot of the table, is at 5.15pm and Hickie it all too aware Leinster will be in for a tough test.
"Sunday’s game will be another tough test," added the winger. "Connacht are always difficult opponents. I would have played against the likes of Eric Elwood, Nigel Carolan and Merv’ Murphy over the years so I know only too well the proud traditions of Connacht. It’s vital that we get the win and put in a strong performance."
Leinster Team:
1 Reggie Corrigan 2 Brian Blaney 3 Will Green 4 Cameron Jowitt 5 Bryce Williams 6 Eric Miller 7 Keith Gleeson 8 Jamie Heaslip 9 Guy Easterby 10 Felipe Contepomi (c) 11 Denis Hickie 12 John Hepworth 13 Kieran Lewis 14 Rob Kearney 15 Girvan Dempsey
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman 17 Emmett Byrne 18 Ben Gissing 19 Adam Byrnes 20 Brian O'Riordan 21 Jonathan Sexton 22 Gary Brown
