Peter V Gray

Valuable run-out for Boss and Cronin

GAVIN CUMMISKEY

RUGBY:  THE UNFORTUNATE Luke Fitzgerald is the only survivor from the Leinster starting XV that faced the Northampton Saints in May’s Heineken Cup final in Cardiff. Most of the others are ensconced in the Ireland camp although Declan Kidney did release Seán Cronin for his Leinster debut along with Isaac Boss for tonight’s game in Donnybrook (7pm).

It seems likely that neither the hooker nor the scrumhalf will see much game time in New Zealand so this provides Cronin and Boss with a valuable run-out should they be required against Russia on September 25th.

For Cronin it also provides an opportunity to lay down a marker at his new club before Richardt Strauss returns to action.

Shane Jennings, another to have just missed out on the World Cup squad, is named on the bench with Dominic Ryan at openside alongside Kevin McLaughlin and Rhys Ruddock, who captains the side in Leo Cullen’s absence.

The arrival of Damien Browne and Steven Sykes sees Devon Toner demoted to the bench, while Andrew Conway is an opportunity at fullback and Eoin O'Malley in the center to the outside.

Ian Madigan gets a chance to outhalf despite an impressive debut last week, Kiwi Matt Berquist.

Marcus Horan is named in the Munster frontrow for the visit of London Irish at Thomond Park tonight (kick-off 19 hours). Tomas O'Leary and John Hayes were also dismissed by the team in Ireland last week but was not considered for selection.Hayes, it seems, will not retire before the campaign of Ireland's World Cup is over.

Stephen Archer gets the green light to tighthead prop ahead of Peter Borlase Tony McGahan preferring Duncan Williams on the scrum-half Peter Stringer to. Danny Barnes at the center and at the lock Ian Nagle other a chance to impress in the Munster team.

Leinster (v Northampton Saints): A Conway, F Carr, E O'Malley, E Sheridan, L Fitzgerald, I Madigan, I Boss, H van der Merwe, S Cronin, J Hagan, D Browne, S Sykes, K McLaughlin, D Ryan, R Ruddock (CAPT).Replacements: A Dundon, McGrath J / S Shawe, J O'Connell, D Toner, S Jennings, J Cooney / C Willis, M Berquist, B Macken, J. Harris-Wright, M Flanagan, L Auva'a, D Hudson.

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