Depleted champions expecting a torrid test

WITH THE king and chief steward forced into exile, a severely weakened Leinster begin the defence of their crown this afternoon in what promises to be a raucous Stade de la Mosson soccer stadium.

Cian Healy’s late withdrawal with a “tweaked glute” is compensated for by Heinke van der Merwe at scrum time but the 24-year-old’s energy will be as sorely missed as Brian O’Driscoll and Shane Horgan.

Leo Cullen’s presence ensures leadership is not a concern but “Drico” and “Shaggy” have been the heartbeat of this franchise, on and off the paddock, since 1999, and are largely responsible for transforming Leinster into a “club” that captured two European titles in three seasons.

Horgan’s ability to influence restarts and O’Driscoll’s deep digging into dangerous rucks, neither with any concern for their well being, probably contributed to their bodies beginning to crumble in recent months.

As they recuperate, Leinster must look to the next wave. Of course, greater responsibility will be embraced by Rob Kearney and Gordon D’Arcy, while Seán O’Brien is the newly established world class specimen in the group.

Leinster is a sturdy enough empire to survive these, albeit serious losses. The bonus point gained in Clermont Auvergne last December proved as much.

O’Driscoll had a fractured jaw but Eoin O’Malley showed well at centre, with Fergus McFadden covering for Luke Fitzgerald on the wing. McFadden did enough last weekend against Munster to see off a number of candidates (O’Malley, Fitzgerald, D’Arcy or even Isa Nacewa) for the number 13 jersey.

Others evidently didn’t. This guaranteed forwards brawl sees Shane Jennings and Devin Toner drop to the reserves as Kevin McLaughlin comes in at blindside, with O’Brien moving to openside, while Damien Browne’s Top 14 experience with Brive gets him the opportunity to embrace the enforcer role previously held by Nathan Hines.

Also, Isaac Boss’s greater physicality holds off Eoin Reddan at scrumhalf. Former Connacht player Seán Cronin makes the bench but he’ll be doing extremely well to shift the dynamic Richardt Strauss any time soon.

Top 14 finalists last year, Montpellier’s form plummeted during the World Cup but coach Fabien Galthié expects the rot to stop today. For starters, Francois Trinh-Duc, the man whose second -half cameo almost captured the William Webb Ellis trophy, returns at outhalf. Leinster coach Joe Schmidt knows all about this mercurial talent’s capabilities from his time at Clermont.

However, it is up front where Montpellier shall seek to gut the European champions. Their front row is intimidating. They start with a Samoan and two Argentinians, hooker Agustin Creevy once played flanker, but expect two beastly Georgians and a South African to eventually rumble into the fray.

Beware the backrow as well. Their marvellous openside and captain Fulgence Ouedraogo returns after being scandalously underused in New Zealand, and don’t forget the monstrous Mamuka Gorgodze or Fijian number eight Masi Matadigo.

With the rain as heavy in Montpellier as in Ireland it should be constantly attritional up front, but Leinster can handle this. Like they have before. If Jonathan Sexton’s perfect place-kicking continues, the French are relying on the boot of 23-year-old Benoit Paillaugue, then a famous victory can be achieved.

Verdict: Leinster to win

Today, kick-off – 1.30pm (Irish) Stade de la Mosson Live on Sky Sports 1