Originally published 13.29
BRENDAN MACKEN IS set to make his Heineken Cup debut in place of the injured Brian O’Driscoll.
O’Driscoll has been struggling with a calf injury and forwards coach Jono Gibbes conceded that he is “unlikely” to be fit in time for Saturday’s opener against the Ospreys.
“A guy like that we’ll give him as much time as we possible,” Gibbes said at today’s press briefing in UCD.
“I just think, with his involvement at the start of the week (he did some light drills) I would say he is unlikely at this stage.”
Asked whether it was too much of a risk to put O’Driscoll into action with a question over his fitness, the Kiwi responded:
“Yeah, plus he’s experienced. He knows where he’s at. We’re going to leave the door open for him. He’s a pretty good judge of where he needs to be for a game like this.
“Listen, if you can’t do a warm-up it’s a bit of a no-brainer. As I said, he knows where he needs to be and we’ll go through that process tomorrow with him.”
The starting XV won’t be confirmed until tomorrow afternoon but sitting along side Gibbes, Jamie Heaslip appeared to let slip that academy product Macken had already been be called upon to fill the number 13 jersey.
“For some guys this is a massive opportunity,” said the number eight. “Like, I was talking to Brendan, it’s his first start in the Heineken Cup and he can’t wait.”
Macken, 22, has already started three of Leinster’s five games this season including an impressive outing in the 29 -29 draw with the Ospreys at the RDS.
Updated 15.00
Good to see Macken get the first start in the H Cup. But aaaagggghhhhh no BOD!!!!!
Darcy was shocking against munster
McFadden to the wing or Fitzgerald?!Macken is a 13 isn’t he so this is a good test of where Leinster will stand next year when BOD has ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Lord aka retired
Worried about this year but even more do for next year. No BOD, Cullen. O’Brien and Heaslip out of contract. Darcy, Boss, Redsan and Jennings pushing on. Add the fact that Jonno Gibbes is going too and it’s a real transition period. Are the young guys ready or good enough to step up? I don’t know. So far this year Murphy, Moore & McGrath have shown ability and desire but more player will be needed to step up.
Ben Marshall and Luke McGrath spring to mind.
Nothing against Brendan Macken, but when is Fergus McFadden going to get a decent run-out? He was the best Irish player on the Summer tour of North America.
Not exactly a mighty boast. McFadden’s passing is not good enough for him to play 13. He would be a better replacement for Darcy.
Three tries and MOTM winning performance against a team only six places below us in the IRB world rankings is not to be sniffed at, IMO.
You have to look at the opposition.
No B O D. No B O D. It will be grand they said. One more year they said. Budget coming and no B O D either. What can the 3rd catastrophe be. I’m going to bed. Can’t handle all this bad news.
Balls………
Mc Fadden is not a centre. Much the same as Earls,he has been tried there but both are better suited to the wing.
Welcome to the world of transition. . Macken will learn more from this than anything and it had to happen sooner or later. Good luck to the lad, he couldn’t have bigger shoes to fill.
Without bod and Strauss we are in big trouble. Darcy brutal v Munster as was reddan
O’Brien not sharp either.
This one will be make or break.
Hopefully we manage to get through this
You said it!!!