Rugby Returns

Heaslip brings out 'the good china'

A Fresh start, Irish Rugby has exactly 13 months to erase the disappointments of their post Grand Slam glow. From now, the start of the Magners League season, until the end of the 2011 World Cup.

Leinster, the most successful of the provinces last season will turn over the new leaf in Glasgow on Friday night. 

Coach Joe Schmidt is still without a win after heavy pre-season defeats to English opposition. But if you have to travel to face the Warriors, a warm September evening is preferable. 

The Eastern province have managed to name five Irish internationals in the starting line up, chief among them being Jamie Heaslip, who had the shortest summer tour due to an early red card against the All Blacks.

Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Horgan will bring some real try-scoring know-how to the table. When combined with the half pack pairing of Isa Nacewa and new recruit, Isaac Boss, the visitors are sure to run the ball if they can get on the front foot.

Despite the presence of these core elements, the Leinster XV has inexperienced look to it. Sean O'Brien will captain the side while debutantes, Ed O'Donoghue and Heinke Van Der Merwe (along with Boss) could need some time to bed in. 20 year old prop, Jack McGrath is amongst a youthful look bench.

Defending Champions, the Ospreys will travel to Ravenhill. Ulster may expect a much improved season this time around but the Welsh side will still be feeling the confidence of lifting the trophy last May.

The hosts have named Stephen Ferris in the pack, and by that virtue have a real chance of winning  Rory best is available to captain the side from hooker but Tom Court and Paddy Wallace will start from the bench.

Australian trialist Adam D'Arcy continues at full back, after the league convert impressed in pre-season run outs. But the summers big signings; Springbok's BJ Botha and Ruan Pienaar remain with their country. Niall O'Connor faces a rough ride in the cockpit as he pits his wits against last years star out-half Dan Biggar.

Former All Black Jerry Collins will captain the visitors in a pack containing Ian Gough, Marty Holah and Johnathan Thomas. Shane Williams and Lee Byrne are deemed fit enough for the replacements bench.

On Saturday, Munster will be the first opposition for the newly formed Aironi Rugby.

The Italian outfit have been able to bring in some big names to help further the cause. Including Munster old boy, Nick Williams at number eight. Italian internationals Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini, Carlo Del Fava and Quintin Geldenhuys. Former France international fullback Julien Laharrague will also feature.

Munster, like the other provinces will have a mixed bag available, the experienced half back pairing of Peter Stringer and Paul Warwick should guide them to victory despite a light looking backline. The pack will be solid with captain Denis Leamy, Niall Ronan, Mick O'Driscoll and Tony Buckley all present and correct.

Buckley and his fellow prop Wian du Preez are not likely to be required for 80 minutes because legends; John Hayes and Marcus Horan will be waiting in the wings.

Connacht are facing down the barrel as they welcome the Newport Gwent Dragons to Galway. 

The entire squad are on one year contracts and, as a result, the whole province is shifting uncomfortably as they ponder whether IRFU cutbacks could spell the end for a professional structure in the west.

John Muldoon and Johnny O’Connor are ruled out through injury, so the arrival of new number eight, Ezra Taylor will give the back row a much needed fillip. Another boost will come with the return of Internationals Sean Cronin and Gavin Duffy to the starting positions, scrum half Frank Murphy will captain the side in Muldoon's absence.

A good omen for Elwood is that Welsh sides seem to hate travelling to The Sportsground. Connacht have won their last five games against Welsh opposition and the Dragons will be out to end a run of defeats along the Atlantic coast stretching back to 2004.

Leinster XV (v Glasgow): L Fitzgerald; S Horgan, E O’Malley, F McFadden, N Morris; I Nacewa, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, S Shawe; N Hines, E O’Donoghue; D Ryan, S O’Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements: J Fogarty, J McGrath, B Prescott, M Galarza, S Keogh, P O’Donohoe, I Madigan, E Sheridan. 

Ulster XV (v Ospreys): A D’Arcy; T Seymour, D Cave, I Whitten, D McIlwaine; N O’Connor, P Marshall; B Young, R Best (Capt), D Fitzpatrick, J Muller, T Barker, S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg. Replacements: N Brady, T Court, P McAllister, R Caldwell, R Diack, I Porter, P Wallace, J Shiels.

Munster XV (v Aironi: F Jones; D Howlett, J Murphy, S Tuitupou,  I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley, M O’Driscoll, B Holland; D Ryan, N Ronan, D Leamy capt. Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan,  J Hayes, A Quinlan, P O’Mahony, D Williams, S Deasy, D Barnes 

Connnacht XV (v Dragons) G Duffy, T Nathan, N Ta’auso, K Matthews, F Carr, I Keatley, F Murphy (Capt). B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, M Swift, B Upton, M McCarthy, R Ofisa, E Taylor. Replacements A Flavin, R Loughney,R Sweeney, D Nolan, M McComish, C Willis, M Nikora, T O’Halloran.