Search icon

Rugby

07th May 2015

Five changes for Leinster as RDS says farewell to D’Arcy and Jennings

D'Arcy is on the bench, but Jennings will not play

Neil Treacy

Two retiring legends will say goodbye to the fans tomorrow night.

Gordon D’Arcy will likely play in front of his home crowd for the final time tomorrow night, as he starts from the bench against Treviso.

Shane Jennings, who is also set to retire, won’t feature tomorrow night, but he will be presented to the crowd before kickoff.

On the pitch, Matt O’Connor has made five changes to his side from their 26-10 defeat to Ulster last time out, as they look to guarantee Champions Cup rugby next season.

Three changes come in the backline. At scrum-half, Eoin Reddan replaces Isaac Boss to partner Jimmy Gopperth, who will also more than likely be playing in his final Leinster game at the RDS.

Ian Madigan is back in the centre, in place of D’Arcy who drops to the bench, while Dave Kearney starts on the left wing, with Luke Fitzgerald now injured.

Jack McGrath starts at loose-head in the absence of Cian Healy, while Jordi Murphy replaces Dominic Ryan at blindside flanker, joining Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip in a powerful backrow.

Leinster: R Kearney, Z Kirchner, B Te’o, I Madigan, D Kearney, J Gopperth, E Reddan; J McGrath, R Strauss, M Ross, D Toner, M McCarthy, J Murohy, S O’Brien, J Heaslip