Schmidt can survey backline options

RUGBY NEWS ROUND-UP: Scarlets v Leinster:DESPITE THE slightly fraught nature in travelling to Wales against a backdrop of snow, ice and airport closures, Leinster will appreciate that tonight's Magners League fixture is set to go ahead as they prepare for a pivotal three weeks across two tournaments.

The absence through injury of Brian O’Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney and Andrew Conway and the ensuing shuffle of backline resources offers Leinster coach Joe Schmidt a chance to recalibrate units in a competitive environment.

The Irish province faces arduous assignments in the Heineken Cup against French champions Clermont Auvergne on successive weekends, first at the Stade Marcel Michelin and then the Aviva stadium.

Tonight’s fixture against a Scarlets side in second place in the Magners League table is important in the context of the result but perhaps more so in discovering the right pieces in a backline jigsaw that may have to fit snugly for all three matches.

O’Driscoll might be fit for the second Clermont tie, so too Conway, but Leinster could be missing the quartet. Schmidt has opted to partner Eoin O’Malley with Gordon D’Arcy in the centre with Fergus McFadden on the left wing. How they fare will have a direct impact on upcoming selections.

International halfbacks Jonathan Sexton and Eoin Reddan return and they’ll look to have a major bearing on the outcome. Mike Ross and Richardt Strauss return to the tight five while there is little doubt about the athleticism and footballing ability of a backrow of Dominic Ryan, Rhys Ruddock and Seán O’Brien at number eight.

The visitors boast a strong bench that includes Shaun Berne, Nathan Hines and Shane Jennings while Isaac Boss and Jason Harris Wright have been rested; the latter to allow Australian-born former Belvedere schoolboy Tom Sexton a place on the bench.

The Scarlets include Welsh international captain Matthew Rees and outhalf Stephen Jones among the replacements while the newly-capped teenage wing sensation George North misses the game with a bruised shoulder. Scotland wing Seán Lamont is also out through injury.

Flanker Josh Turnbull and powerful wing Joe Ajuwa are back to full fitness while former Australian international David Lyons captains the side from number eight. Scarlets coach Nigel Davies has seen his side win six of their nine matches in the competition.

An under-strength Leinster side produced a fine performance against the Ospreys at the Liberty stadium last time out that but for some questionable refereeing might have yielded a victory instead of a losing bonus point. The Scarlets though are a better approximation of a full team and given home advantage will start as favourites.

SCARLETS:D Newton; M Stoddart, G Maule, R King, J Ajuwa; R Priestland, T Knoyle; P John, K Owens, P Edwards; D Welch, D Day; J Turnbull, J Edwards, D Lyons (capt). Replacements: M Rees, R Jones, D Manu, R McCusker, B Morgan, M Roberts, S Jones, S Williams.

LEINSTER:I Nacewa; S Horgan, E O'Malley, G D'Arcy, F McFadden; J Sexton, E Reddan; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; R Ruddock, D Ryan, S O'Brien. Replacements: T Sexton, J McGrath, C Newland, N Hines, S Jennings, P O'Donohue, S Berne, D Kearney.

Referee:Neil Paterson (Scotland)