CHAMPIONS CUP RUGBY
LEINSTER V WASPS
RDS, TOMORROW 1PM
A PASSING FAD
Cullen makes Fergus centre of attention as a one-off experiment
By DAIRE WALSH
The selection of Fergus McFadden at outside centre was the big talking point AT Leinster HQ yesterday.
Coach Leo Cullen sprang something of a surprise when he announced his starting line-up for the Champions Cup opener against Wasps tomorrow.
McFadden has spent much of the present campaign in the back-three, but with Ben Te’o still working his way back from injury, the Kildare man has been chosen to partner Noel Reid in the centre.
Explaining his team selection, Cullen said: “Just for this game I thought Ferg brings real experience.
“He has been great for us so far and he just brings a real toughness into the centre there.
“We look at different combinations the whole time, and the different strengths and weaknesses of everybody.
“This is the combination we have gone for.
“He is very robust, whether that is defensively or in the carry and, depending on the conditions as well, we need the strong carry that Ferg gives us.”
With Bath and defending champions Toulon also in Pool 5 of the Champions Cup, Leinster will need at their best if they want to progress to the knockout stages.
However, Cullen is only focusing on Sunday’s game for now, and won’t set a points target for his squad to aim for.
“I wouldn’t, no. I’m so focused on this week and trying to get a result. It’s important that the players are aware that every point matters.
“That’s not just the four points or losing bonus points. It’s the for and against points, so it’s important that we are staying focused for every minute of that game.
“We’ll reassess post-Wasps and look at Bath, which is a different challenge.”
The visit of Wasps to Ballsbridge should prove to be a momentous occasion for Isa Nacewa, who will lead out Leinster in a European tie for the very first time as club captain.
LEINSTER: I Nacewa (c), Z Kirchner, F McFadden, N Reid, D Kearney, J Sexton, E Reddan, J McGrath, R Strauss, M Ross, D Toner, M McCarthy, J Murphy, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.