Van der Linde to miss all-Ireland battle
Springbok prop CJ van der Linde will miss Leinster’s all-Ireland Magners League clash against Ulster at the RDS this weekend because of a calf muscle injury.
Van der Linde, who recently earned a recall to the Bok frame, picked up his injury in Heineken Cup action against the Llanelli Scarlets last weekend – a game the defending champions won 39-7.
It is uncertain just how long Van der Linde will be sidelined for, but his unavailability has opened the door for Stan Wright to rejoin the Leinster squad ahead of Saturday’s match (kick-off 5.30pm – local time).
Meanwhile, aside from the loss of Van der Linde, Leinster appear to be at full-strength; with the likes of Ireland stars Jamie Heaslip, Gordon D’Arcy, Rob Kearney and Brian O’Driscoll – to name just a few – all included in this 27-man squad.
Leinster head coach Michael Cheika will announce his final matchday squad on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 24-man squad ahead of the weekend.
Leaving the Heineken Cup behind them for a few weeks, once again, Ulster will now turn their attention to the Magners League, with back-to-back all-Ireland derbies – opening with this tricky trip to Dublin and then a Ravenhill clash with Munster on January 2, 2010.
“Leinster at the RDS, the European champions, it’s a smashing opportunity for us to learn from the things we didn’t do well at the weekend and to try, and improve on them,” said McLaughlin.
“They will test us, but we have to go there with a positive mind frame and know that if we turn up on the day, we are also a strong, competent side,” he added.
“That is what professional rugby is all about, you’ve got to look at what you did well and what you did poorly, and you’ve got to improve week by week. We played some good rugby in Paris, but until we get that consistency away from home, we’ve just got to keep plugging away until we get it going.”
The squads:
Leinster – Forwards: Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Malcolm O’Kelly, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Stan Wright.
Backs: Shaun Berne, Gordon D’Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Chris Keane, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O’Donohoe, Brian O’Driscoll, Eoin Reddan.
Ulster – Forwards: Declan Fitzpatrick, Bryan Young, BJ Botha, Nigel Brady, Andy Kyriacou, Ed O’Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Ryan Caldwell, Chris Henry, David Pollock, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson.
Backs: Jamie Smith, Clinton Schifcofske, Simon Danielli, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Timoci Nagusa, Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor, Isaac Boss, Paul Marshall, Cillian Willis, Jonny Shiells.
