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Van Dyk in action for Leinster 'A' last weekend. Donall Farmer/INPHO
New Face

South Africa U20 prop Van Dyk set for Leinster debut against Connacht

The on-loan Cheetahs front row has been named on Matt O’Connor’s bench for tomorrow’s tie at the RDS.

FORMER SOUTH AFRICA U20 prop Nicolaas ‘Maks’ Van Dyk is set to make his Leinster debut off the bench against Connacht tomorrow evening, having recently joined the province on a short-term loan.

The 22-year-old tighthead was drafted in by Leinster to cover front row injuries, and made an appearance for the ‘A’ side in last weekend’s 59-26 win against Plymouth Albion.

Van Dyk played for South Africa in the 2012 Junior World Championship, starting the semi-final and final victories over Argentina and New Zealand.

This year, the ex-Paarl Boys’ High School student started eight Super Rugby games for the Cheetahs, while also being extensively involved in Wildeklawer Griquas’ Currie Cup campaign.

“Yeah, he’s come over on loan for us given the injury crisis we had in the front row,” said Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor at the RDS this afternoon.

It took a little longer to get his work permit than we thought. He’s recently arrived and played in the ‘A’ game and he’s involved this weekend. It’s a short-term deal at the moment to get us through the injury crisis that we’ve got and we’ll see after that.”

Asked what skills Van Dyk brings to the Leinster squad, O’Connor’s reply was tongue in cheek:

“He hopefully can scrummage, and hopefully run around, tackle, clean out, pass and catch, do all those beautiful things that front rows do… It’d be brilliant [if he could score a try too]. A pushover would be better!”

Ian Madigan kicks a penalty There's no Ian Madigan for Leinster this weekend. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

One notable absentee from Leinster’s matchday squad for tomorrow evening’s inter-provincial derby is Ian Madigan, who started both recent Champions Cup games against Harlequins at inside centre.

O’Connor explained that the Ireland international was carrying two separate knocks, meaning he has been given the chance to recuperate ahead of Leinster’s trip to Thomond Park on 26 December.

Ian was a little bit banged up,” said O’Connor. “He rolled his ankle last time out at the RDS against the Ospreys. He’s got a but of a shoulder niggle. We thought off the back of the European games it was an opportunity to try and get those things right for Munster.”

More positively, the likes of back row Kevin McLaughlin, wing Dave Kearney and flanker Shane Jennings are all back in the Leinster team, something that O’Connor is pleased about.

“Definitely, because Connacht have played very, very well. So the experience with Kev coming back in there, Dave, Jenno, it gives us a little bit more experience to us and a little bit more edge hopefully.”

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