Jennings handed Leinster captaincy
Leinster and Glasgow have been given the all-clear for this weekend’s clash in Dublin – a huge top-of-the-table Magners League fixture set to take place at the RDS.
The home side have named a strong starting line-up, with Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll set to partner Fergus McFadden at centre in a backline which sees Jonathan Sexton starting at flyhalf for his first game since sustaining an injury in Ireland’s recent win over South Africa.
Shane Jennings will captain Leinster and is included in a back-row which also features Kevin McLaughlin and B&I Lions star Jamie Heaslip, with Nathan Hines partnering Devin Toner at second row.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen, meanwhile, says his team are ready for the “big test” of tackling the defending Heineken Cup champions this weekend.
“This is a big test for us. We are away from home against the European champions but the players are really up for it,” said Lineen.
“We know what Leinster are about and we know they have a great pitch will attract a massive crowd.”
The Warriors have been forced to make just one change for Friday night’s clash.
The change comes in the back row where Johnnie Beattie comes in at No.8 for Richie Vernon who is suffering from a flu bug.
The reams:
Leinster: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Isa Nacewa, 13 Brian O’Driscoll, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Rob Kearney, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings (captain), 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Stan Wright, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Malcolm O’Kelly, 19 Stephen Keogh, 20 Paul O’Donohoe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Simon Keogh.
Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Max Evans, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Alastair Kellock (captain), 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Jon Welsh.
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Dan Turner, 19 James Eddie, 20 Colin Gregor, 21 Ruaridh Jackson, 22 Rob Dewey.
Date: Friday, January 8
Venue: RDS, Dublin
Time: 20.00
Referee: James Jones
Assistant Referees: D Wilkinson, L Colgan
TMO: Tony Redmond
