KIWI NATHAN White makes his first start with Leinster at tighthead prop as they face into a match that they hope will settle their streaky form.
Losing last week to Glasgow in a match Leinster should have won makes these early-season weeks uneasy for coach Joe Schmidt. The long list of missing players is an ongoing problem and a few new faces have been thrown in to see how they fare.
Experienced and with a formidable physical presence, Damian Browne lines up with Devin Toner in the secondrow with Jordi Murphy coming in for his first senior start at openside flanker. Murphy came off the bench last week but the backrow is one of those areas where Schmidt has injury problems and this is an opportunity for the younger player.
There is plenty of gas in the back line as usual but again Ian Madigan will be pivotal as he continues to shape Leinster’s game at outhalf and perhaps also learning as he goes.
It’s Scarlets’ 5,000th game and they are making something of a fuss about it in the hope of generating momentum after last week’s defeat to Munster.
In the centre 22-year-old Nick Reynolds comes in while 19-year-old Dale Ford is in at fullback giving the Welsh side a Leinster type of look – inexperienced but also capable.
Coach Nigel Davies has already ramped up the team by saying that it’s vital they protect their heritage and set out their values. Big talk from the former player, who appeared in a record nine Welsh Cup finals and scored 115 tries in his regional career.
“We know Leinster have some strong key players in the back line and made some quality overseas signings who can cause a lot of damage and we will have to deal with those threats,” said Davies. “I’m confident our boys will bounce back strongly this weekend.”
SCARLETS: D Ford; L Williams, N Williams, G Maule, A Fenby; D Newton, R Tipuna; I Thomas (c), E Phillips, R Thomas, A Shingler, D Day, R McCusker, J Edwards, Morgan. Replacements: C Hawkins, P John, R Jones, D Welch, R Pugh, G Davies, A Thomas, L Williams.
LEINSTER: I Nacewa; F Carr, E O’Malley, L Fitzgerald, D Kearney; I Madigan, C Willis; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, N White, D Browne, D Toner, R Ruddock (c), J Murphy, L Auva’a. Replacements: J Harris-Wright, J McGrath, J Hagan, M Flanagan, C Ruddock, J Cooney, B Macken, D Hudson.
Referee: J Lacey (IRFU).
Verdict: Scarlets win.
