Kidney decides to make eight changes

From a position where they had been the most settled of the Irish provinces, all has changed for Leinster's Celtic League match at home to the Borders on Friday night.

Heretofore, Declan Kidney's side had been unchanged in their three-game unbeaten start to the campaign in every position bar scrumhalf, but the Leinster coach makes eight changes for this game.

Denis Hickie, having made such an impressive return following his 10-month absence, as a 10th-minute replacement against Munster last Saturday at full back, interestingly starts from that position on Friday, while Felipe Contepomi makes his seasonal return at centre after recovering from the bad neck injury he sustained playing for Argentina against Wales last June.

Guy Easterby and Ricky Nebett, also replacements against Munster, make their first starts, as does hooker David Blaney and the entire back row of Eric Miller, Victor Costello and Ciarán Potts, with Brian O'Meara reverting to outhalf and Des Dillon moving to the second row to accommodate these reshuffles.

Hooker Shane Byrne, available again this week, is named on the bench alongside Aidan McCullen, Ben Gissing and Kieran Lewis, with Kidney leaving a couple of back-line replacements vacant until later in the week.

"The three games we've had have been three tough, hard-fought games, and while some players need a well-earned rest, we need to give other guys a run," explained Leinster manager Paul McNaughton.

"Felipe came through an X-ray three or four weeks ago and is fully fit. He looks strong in training and we're delighted to have him back."

It is a measure of Leinster's strength in depth the only player ruled out through injury, apart from long-term casualty Keith Gleeson, is John McWeeney, whose strained hamstring is likely to sideline him for another two or three weeks, and that a further half-dozen front-line internationals are still unavailable, namely: Reggie Corrigan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey.

They are likely to be strengthened further next week by the arrival of the experienced Wellington Hurricanes' outhalf, David Holwell, who will undergo a medical before his signing is completed; a procedure given added interest by the curious comments that were attributed to Holwell in citing a need to give his body a rest from Super 12 as one of the reasons for his move.

In any event, presuming all goes well, Holwell will be signed and registered before the ERC deadline for registering players next Thursday, September 30th.

"That is why we negotiated an early release from Wellington (from the New Zealand NPC championships), to have him registered with ERC," explained McNaughton.

And it seems safe to presume all the "i"s will be dotted and the "t"s crossed on the registration forms of Holwell et al.

Connacht and Ulster will unveil their hands today for games away to Cardiff and at home to the Ospreys, respectively.

Connacht are buoyed by the anticipated return of influential number eight John O'Sullivan and centre Mark McHugh, who has recovered from the shoulder operation he underwent in the summer, and may also recall Paul Neville and Pieter Myburgh. Bernard Jackman has been passed fit.

Leinster: D Hickie; J Norton, C Warner, F Contepomi, G Brown; B O'Meara, G Easterby; R Nebbett; D Blaney, E Byrne, L Cullen (Capt), D Dillon, E Miller, V Costello, C Potts. Replacements: P Coyle, S Byrne, B Gissing, A McCullen, A.N. Other, K Lewis, A.N. Other.

Tickets for the Leinster-Borders match are on sale from www.leinsterrugby.ie, Spar Donnybrook, Elvery's (Suffolk St & Dawson St) and the Leinster Rugby Store inside the ground. Stand (a25), Terrace (a15), Schoolboy/girl (a5).