Reddan boost for Leinster

Published: Friday, 16. December, 2011 in category Bath
Reddan: Gets the nod at scrum-half for Leinster

The defending champions top Pool Three after winning at the Rec last time out, although both Bath and Glasgow Warriors have high hopes of overhauling them.

With Gordon D'Arcy having struggled with a minor niggle in training, Eoin O'Malley comes into the centres while Eoin Reddan gets the nod at scrum-half.

In the pack Devin Toner and Shane Jennings come in for Damian Browne and Kevin McLaughlin.

Having only just been edged out by Leinster at home, Bath have opted to name virtually an unchanged team for the return leg in Dublin.

With centre Dan Hipkiss ruled out after picking up a knock in the 18-13 loss, Sam Vesty comes into the starting XV. As a result, Vesty starts at full-back, with Nick Abendanon moving to the wing and Matt Banahan filling the vacant 13 jersey.

Bath will also welcome back fit-again duo Ben Williams and Ross Batty on the bench.

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Isa Nacewa, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 1 Heinke van der Merwe, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Leo Cullen, 5 Devin Toner, 6 Sean O'Brien, 7 Shane Jennings, 8 Jamie HeaslipReplacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Nathan White, 19 Kevin McLaughlin, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Gordon D'Arcy.

Bath: 15 Sam Vesty, 14 Jack Cuthbert, 13 Matt Banahan, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Nick Abendanon, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Michael Claassens, 1 David Flatman, 2 Chris Biller, 3 David Wilson, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Guy Mercer, 8 Simon TaylorReplacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Andy Beattie, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Ben Williams.