LEINSTER COACH MATT O’Connor has recalled out-half Jimmy Gopperth to the side for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup opener away to Ospreys.
Gopperth is preferred to Ian Madigan who is dropped to the bench with the new coach calling from improved game management from his side.
Isaac Boss will give the half-backs even more of a Kiwi feel as he is preferred to Eoin Reddan for another away trip.
After missing the defeat to Munster, Brian O’Driscoll’s absence was all but confirmed yesterday by a slip of the tongue from Jamie Heaslip. Brendan Macken takes up the centre role as the third change from the 19 – 15 defeat in Limerick.
Leinster XV (v Ospreys): R Kearney; F McFadden, B Macken, G D’Arcy, D Kearney; J Gopperth, I Boss: C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross; D Toner, M McCarthy ; K McLaughlin, S O’Brien, J Heaslip (capt.)Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, M Moore, Q Roux, R Ruddock, E Reddan, I Madigan, L Fitzgerald.