Ton Up For Record Setter Boss
Isaac Boss is in line to become the first player to represent two Irish provinces 100 times when he features for Leinster against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm) on Saturday in the first round of the GUINNESS PRO12.
After 108 appearances for Ulster, it was against this weekend’s opposition Glasgow – but in Firhill – that Isaac Boss made his Leinster debut in September 2010 with an 80-minute try scoring display.
He went on to play a further 28 times for Leinster in that debut season, scoring a further three PRO12 tries and added to a memorable first year with a Heineken Cup medal from the final against Northampton.
This weekend he lines out in the familiar number 9 jersey, with Jimmy Gopperth outside him in what is Leinster’s first competitive fixture after two pre-season friendlies against Northampton Saints and Ulster.
In the pack, Sean Cronin makes a welcome return after undergoing surgery earlier in the summer, with his Ireland colleagues Cian Healy and Mike Ross either side of him.
In the second row, Ben Marshall starts his first PRO12 game since February 2013 after an injury-ravaged season last year, whilebeside him Mike McCarthy is starting his second season with Leinster.
Having led the team out last weekend at Tallaght Stadium, Sean O’Brien is once again selected to captain the side from the base of the scrum and flankers Dominic Ryan and Shane Jennings complete the back row.
Noel Reid and Brendan Macken start in the centre, hoping to take their end of season British & Irish Cup form with them into this year’s PRO12.
St Mary’s clubman Darragh Fanning starts on the left wing with Fergus McFadden stationed on the right and Zane Kirchner, who scored five tries in his debut season, starting at full-back.
Tickets for Leinster’s first home game of the campaign – the Scarlets visit the RDS on Saturday week (kick-off 2.40pm) – are still on sale at www.leinsterrugby.ie/tickets.
LEINSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Zane Kirchner; Fergus McFadden, Brendan Macken, Noel Reid, Darragh Fanning; Jimmy Gopperth, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross, Ben Marshall, Mike McCarthy, Dominic Ryan, Shane Jennings, Sean O’Brien (capt).
Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong, Tom Denton, Kevin McLaughlin, Luke McGrath, Ian Madigan, Michael McGrath.