SPORT: D’ARCY NAMED TO START FOR LEINSTER ON FRIDAY
Wexford’s Gordon D’Arcy is named to start for Leinster for the first time this season partnering Ian Madigan in midfield for their game against Cardiff Blues this Friday at the RDS.
Meanwhile Kane Douglas will make his debut for the blues.
The Aussie lock arrived in Ireland last Friday and took part in training this week with his new team-mates.
Marty Moore will start his first game of the season with Michael Bent and Sean Cronin completing the front eight.
The back three that started in the defeat against Connacht last week are retained for the match against Cardiff.
Darragh Fanning and Fergus McFadden will take their places on the wings, and Rob Kearney will start at full-back.
The half-backs also remain the same, with Eoin Reddan and Jimmy Gopperth both set to start.
Elsewhere leaders Connacht have made five changes to their starting XV from the side that defeated Leinster last week.
Michael Swift has replaced Quinn Roux in the second row for tomorrow’s encounter with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium
Tighthead Prop Rodney Ah You and Number 8 George Naoupu will also earn their first starts of the season in an altered pack after both coming on from the bench in all three previous games.
Galway man Eoin McKeon moves to openside flanker while Danie Poolman has recovered from the illness that forced him to withdraw last week, to take his place on the right wing while Matt Healy moves to the left.
Meanwhile, 26-year-old new recruit Ian Porter has been named at scrum half.