UNBEATEN Leinster will be at full strength for Friday nights Heineken Cup showdown against Newport at Donnybrook, writes Robin Davey.
Leinster will field 13 internationals, six of whom started against both Wales and England in the Six Nations, including centre Brian ODriscoll, who passed a fitness test on his finger and knee injuries yesterday.
Leinster name the same 22 for the third match in a row and an indication of their strength is that forward Trevor Brennan, an Irish replacement and Irish cult figure, cant make the starting line-up.
An all-international back division includes current caps Girvan Dempsey, Denis Hickie, ODriscoll and Shane Horgan, but Nathan Spooner, Australias outside half before Stephen Larkham, is a big threat with his place kicking.
Lock Malcolm OKelly is another current cap and British Lion, while skipper Reg Corrigan, Shane and Emmet Byrne form an all-international front row, with ex-Lion Eric Miller and Victor Costello a dual threat in the back row.
But Leinster are taking nothing for granted, Hickie saying: We are very aware that Newport are a good side and it will be a great help to us playing the first of our two matches against them at home.
Friday night rugby at Donnybrook has become very popular and its going to be another great occasion.
Leinster have had Newport watched and a spokesman said: They are particularly strong from 1-10, so we will try to ship it out wide and blast through the middle.
Winning builds confidence, its the same with Newport. Theyve got a great tradition and we know they had some real battles with Munster last season.
We wont fear Newport but well give them total respect.
Weve also beaten Toulouse, Newcastle and Swansea, the latter fairly comprehensively with a diluted side.
There is a very down to earth professional approach here and there is a whirlwind of change from last year.
Newport have delayed naming their side because of slight injuries to forwards Jason Forster (groin), Joe Powell (calf) and Paul Young (neck).
Leinster Team: G Dempsey, D Hickie, B ODriscoll, S Horgan, G DArcy, N Spooner, B OMeara, R Corrigan (captain), S Byrne, E Byrne, M OKelly, L Cullen, E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: P Coyle, G Hickie, R Casey, T Brennan, B Willis, A Dunne, A Magro.
Newport squad: M Pini, E Lewis, M Mostyn, M Watkins, B Breeze, A Marinos, J Pritchard, N Brew, S Howarth, J Strange, O Tonuu, D Burn, C Jones, R Snow, C Anthony, J Richards, P Young, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (captain), M Voyle, I Gough, J Powell, A Powell, G Gravell, J Forster, P Buxton.
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