Ringrose makes debut
Daire Walsh
Former schools rugby star Garry Ringrose is set to make his competitive debut at the RDS this evening (5.15pm), as Leinster aim to secure their first victory of the new Guinness Pro12 campaign against current table-toppers, Cardiff Blues.
In Leo Cullen’s first game as head coach in the Ballsbridge venue, Ringrose (who featured at outside centre for Blackrock College in their 2013 Leinster Senior Cup triumph) takes his place in the back three alongside Isa Nacewa and Fergus McFadden.
The UCD club man is the only change in the Leinster back-line, where Ben Te’o once again partners Noel Reid in the pivotal midfield area.
In spite of the continued presence of Isaac Boss in the match-day squad, Luke McGrath is retained alongside Cathal Marsh at half-back, and given the potency of the Cardiff attack (they recorded a 61-13 success over Zebre six days ago), McGrath knows that Leinster need to learn from some of the mistakes made in the opening game.
With 17 players (including South Africa’s Zane Kirchner) tied up with World Cup commitments, there is pressure on the Leinster squad to pick up results.
McGrath stressed the available players want to pick up as many wins as they can in their absence of first-choice stars, but also have to view it as a great opportunity to impress.
“We want to give them as much wins as possible. It’s as simple as that really. It’s a huge opportunity. We’ve just got to grip it with both hands now, come together as one, and hopefully get a good win at the weekend,” McGrath added.
As a result of pack injuries, Ross Molony and Dominic Ryan have been selected at second-row and blindside flanker respectively, with Nacewa taking over the captaincy on his return to the RDS. Josh Van Der Flier takes Dan Leavy’s openside spot (Jack Conan completes the back-row), while the experienced front-row of Michael Bent, Aaron Dundon and Jamie Hagan remains intact.
LEINSTER: I Nacewa; G Ringrose, B Te’o, N Reid, F McFadden; C Marsh, L McGrath; M Bent, A Dundon, J Hagan; R Molony, M McCarthy; D Ryan, J Van Der Flier, J Conan.
CARDIFF BLUES: D Fish; A Summerhil, T Isaacs, G Evans, O Jenkins; R Patchell, T Knoyle; S Hobbs, K Dacey, C Mitchell; J Hoeata, J Down; J Turnbull, J Navidi, M Vosawai.