Leinster, Munster and Ulster all complete their pre-season programmes tonight against English Premiership opposition who, generally, have looked comparatively stronger in their preparations to date given the speedier return of their frontliners.
Viewed in the light of their 43-0 defeat away to Northampton, Leinster coach Joe Schmidt will be relieved to welcome back Isa Nacewa for his first game of the season at fullback, with Andrew Conway switching to the wing and five other players recalled. Fionn Carr starts on the wing, with Ian Madigan’s recall at outhalf seeing Noel Reid switch to centre, while up front props Heinke van der Meuwe and Jamie Hagan line out along with Irish qualified 24-year-old lock Tom Denton, who signed from Leeds during the close-season and played in the win over Gloucester a fortnight ago.
Isaac Boss captains the side in place of Leo Cullen, who is named on an expanded replacements’ bench, for a game that also marks Sale’s inaugural fixture in Salford City Stadium (Kick-off 8pm).
Following on from their 14-14 draw at home to Leicester last week, Jared Payne, Michael Allen, Luke Marshall and Chris Farell retain their starting positions in the Ulster backline and are joined by Craig Gilroy and Paddy Jackson. Rob Herring is called up at hooker and Mike McComish at flanker in an otherwise unchanged side.
Tonight’s fixtures: Munster v London Irish, Musgrave Park (7pm); Ulster v Newcastle, Ravenhill (7.30); Sale v Leinster, Salford (8pm).
LEINSTER:I Nacewa; A Conway, B Macken, N Reid, F Carr; I Madigan, I Boss (capt); H van der Merwe, R Strauss, J Hagan, T Denton, D Toner, D Ryan, J Murphy, L Auvaa. Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, M Moore, L Cullen, B Marshall, J Cooney, C OShea, J Coghlan, D Hudson, J OConnell.
ULSTER: J Payne; M Allen, C Farrell, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, M Heaney; C Black, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, R Diack, M McComish, N Williams. Replacements: N Annett, N Brady, R Lutton, J Afoa, A Macklin, N McComb, A Birch, S Doyle, B McIlroy, N O'Connor, P Nelson, C Cochrane.
MUNSTER: D Hurley; D Howlett (capt), C Laulala, J Downey, J Murphy; I Keatley, D Williams; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D Foley, B Holland; D O'Callaghan, S Dougall, J Coughlan. Replacements: M Horan, S Henry, S Archer, P Donnellan, T O'Donnell, P Butler, P Stringer, S Deasy, S Scanlon, L O'Dea.
LONDON IRISH: T Homer; T Ojo, J Joseph, J Ansbro, S Tagicakibau; S Shingler, T O'Leary; M Lahiff, S Lawson, L Halavatau; B Evans, G Skivington; J Gibson, O Treviranus, J Fisher. Replacements: S Malton, H Aulika, J Sandford, G Ellis, A Gray, K Low, D Allinson, M Ward, F Horan, M Yarde, C Gaston.
