THE AUDITIONS FOR the Irish number 10 jersey are taking place this weekend and both Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson have their dance cards.
Madigan has been named as outhalf for Leinster’s away date in Wales against Newport Gwent Dragons while Jackson will start for Ulster at Ravenhill against Treviso.
Madigan will be partnered by Eoin Reddan, who came on as a sub in Ireland’s Six Nations defeat to Scotland on Sunday.
Ronan O’Gara is also in line for a Munster start in the league this weekend but another assured kicking display from the 23-year-old could yet earn him a promotion to the national side.
Jonathan Sexton is back in light training but is still considered a major doubt for next weekend’s Aviva Stadium clash with France.
Fergus McFadden starts at inside centre and the thinking of the Irish management may reveal itself if he is charged with place kicking for Leinster tomorrow.
Leinster: Luke Fitzgerald; Dave Kearney, Brendan Macken, Fergus McFadden, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan; Jack O’Connell, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan; Mark Flanagan, Devin Toner; Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings (c), Rhys Ruddock.Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, Leo Cullen, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Andrew Goodman, Eoin O’Malley.
Ulster coach Mark Anscombe has confirmed that Jackson, starting at outhalf, will take over the kicking duties from South African scrum-half Ruan Pienaar.
Iain Henderson starts at blindside flanker while Andrew Trimble [right wing] and Darren Cave [outside centre] will hope to impress Irish coach Declan Kidney in starting roles.
Declan Fitzpatrick gets a start in the front row, as does John Afoa, but Tom Court is not in the squad.
Ulster: Ricky Andrew, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Michael Allen, Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; John Afoa, Rob Herring, Declan Fitzpatrick; Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy; Iain Henderson, Mike McComish, Robbie Diack.Replacements: Nigel Brady, Callum Black, Richard Lutton, Neil McComb, Ali Birch, Paul Marshall, Niall O’Connor, Chris Cochrane.
Out west, Connacht coach Eric Elwood has named another strong side for the home tie against Zebre tomorrow.
Robbie Henshaw, who was on international duty last week, is named at fullback for his 21st Connacht appearance.
27-year-old Brian Murphy, who made his Connacht debut in Cardiff last week, will start again at inside centre, in a partnership with fellow Galway native Eoin Griffin.
Skipper Gavin Duffy is named on the wing, replacing Fetu’u Vainikolo who moves to the bench.
Dan Parks was forced to withdraw late from last week’s fixture with a hamstring injury. He returns to outhalf duties tomorrow night.
Connacht: Robbie Henshaw; Danie Poolman, Eoin Griffin, Brian Murphy, Gavin Duffy (c); Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White; Mick Kearney, Andrew Browne; John Muldoon, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Denis Buckley, Ronan Loughney, TJ Anderson, George Naoupu, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Fetu’u Vainikolo.
