Ringrose happy to wing it
Guinness Pro12 Round 3
Leinster v Dragons
Daire Walsh
As he bids to secure back to back wins in the Guinness Pro12, Leinster coach Leo Cullen has made two changes to his side for the visit of Newport Gwent Dragons to the RDS this afternoon (2.30pm).
Marty Moore and Isaac Boss were initially in contention for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad, but they will instead make their first start of the season against Kingsley Jones’ outfit.
Following appearances from the bench in Leinster’s opening two fixtures, Boss starts alongside Cathal Marsh at half-back, while Moore (who underwent foot surgery last month) will feature in the Blues’ front-row for the first time since April’s Champions Cup defeat to Toulon.
Blackrock College graduate Garry Ringrose retains his place in the back-three along with Isa Nacewa and Fergus McFadden, and he believes that the experienced duo are helping to settle into the first-team: “It’s hard to describe really, it’s little things,” Ringrose admitted. “Like how they carry themselves on and off the pitch. I can just sit back and take notes and see what they’re doing. With two successful guys like that I’m certainly lucky to have them.”
Operating on the wing could be seen as unfamiliar territory for Ringrose, who has played the majority of his rugby to date at outside centre. Although he ultimately views the centre as being his preferred position, he is more than happy to take any spot in the back-three.
“I’ll play wherever I can get myself on the pitch. That would’ve been the focus over the past couple of years [to play outside centre], but if a transition into wing is what the coach is thinking and that’s what’s best for the team, then I’m happy with that.”
The Leinster back-line is completed by the midfield pairing of Ben Te’o and Noel Reid, while Moore replaces Jamie Hagan in an otherwise unchanged pack.
Hagan has to settle for a place amongst the replacements, and although Cullen’s reserve options may be lacking experience, he will be boosted by Rhys Ruddock’s return to the match-day squad for the first time in the new campaign.
Ruddock’s father Mike was previously a coach of the Dragons, and with just three players (Taulupe Faletau, Tyler Morgan and Hallam Amos) called up by Warren Gatland for Wales’ World Cup campaign, the visitors have a large hand to pick from for this game. Amos has since been ruled out of international duty because of a shoulder injury, but with the club’s all-time top-scorer – Jason Tovey – selected at fly-half, they will be aiming to secure a third win in succession over Leinster.
LEINSTER: I Nacewa; F McFadden, B Te’o, N Reid, G Ringrose; C Marsh, I Boss; M Bent, A Dundon, M Moore; R Molony, M McCarthy; D Ryan, J Van Der Flier, J Conan.
Replacements: J Tracy, P Dooley, J Hagan, R Ruddock, D Leavy, L McGrath, R Byrne, C Kelleher.
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS: C Meyer; A Hewitt, R Wardle, A Warren, T Prydie; J Tovey, S Pretorius; B Stankovich, H Gustafson, B Harris; M Crosswell, R Landman; J Thomas, J Benjamin, E Jackson.
Replacements: E Dee, P Price, S Knight, M Screech, N Cudd, L Jones, A O’Brien, A Brew.