Gordon Reid: Replaces Ryan Grant at prop for Glasgow
Mike McCarthy: Returns from injury in place of Quinn Roux in the pack
Glasgow Warriors and Leinster are both looking to make history in the RaboDirect PRO12 Final at the RDS on Saturday.
Current champions Leinster are aiming to become the first side to successfully defend their crown, while Glasgow could become the first Scottish team to win the competition.
The hosts finished the regular season at the top of the table and then defeated Ulster – the same opponents they beat in last year’s final – 13-9 in their semi-final at the RDS earlier this month.
Glasgow are the first Scottish side since Edinburgh in 2009 to make the final and go into the game on the back of a club record nine match winning run.
Gregor Townsend’s men finished second in the league after winning their last eight games before edging Munster 16-15 in their semi-final.
Townsend now wants his charges to make one final push, telling the club’s official website: “Making the final is a great achievement for the club and for Scottish rugby, but this is a big opportunity for us to take that next step.
“We face a huge challenge tomorrow night as Leinster are the defending champions and have been one of the top sides in Europe for a number of years.
“The squad have trained really well this week and everyone associated with the club can’t wait to see the players perform in the final.
“It is fantastic that so many Glasgow supporters will be travelling to Dublin to get behind the team.
“Moray (Low) could make his 150th appearance for the club, which is an incredible achievement, while it would also be his last in a Glasgow shirt. Chris (Cusiter) and Ruaridh (Jackson) are also set to play their last game for the Warriors, and have been instrumental in the progress the club has made over the past few seasons.
“We will give everything we’ve got tomorrow in our quest to achieve something which no Scottish side has done before.”
The two teams have already met twice this year with honours shared. Both sides have won at home – Glasgow triumphing 12-6 back in September in Scotstoun, while Leinster won the return 28-25 in March.
Teams
Leinster coach Matt O’Connor has made three changes from the team that beat Ulster, with Mike Ross coming in for Martin Moore and Mike McCarthy returning from injury in place of Quinn Roux in the pack.
Zane Kirchner replaces Dave Kearney, who is set to undergo surgery on an ACL knee injury on riday.
For Glasgow, Townsend has made two personnel changes to the team which beat Munster, with Peter Horne coming in for Mark Bennett at centre and Gordon Reid replacing Ryan Grant at prop.
There is one positional switch in the backline with Alex Dunbar moving to outside centre, with Horne coming in at number 12.
Leinster: 15 Kearney, 14 McFadden, 13 O’Driscoll, 12 D’Arcy, 11 Kirchner, 10 Gopperth, 9 Reddan, 1 Healy, 2 Cronin, 3 Ross, 4 Toner, 5 McCarthy, 6 Ruddock, 7 Jennings, 8 Heaslip (c).
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 McGrath, 18 Moore, 19 Cullen, 20 O’Brien, 21 Boss, 22 Madigan, 23 Fanning.
Glasgow: 15 Murchie, 14 Maitland, 13 Dunbar, 12 Horne, 11 Seymour, 10 Russell, 9 Cusiter; 1 Reid, 2 Hall, 3 Welsh, 4 Gray, 5 Kellock (c), 6 Harley, 7 Fusaro, 8 Strauss.
Replacements: 16 MacArthur, 17 Grant, 18 Low, 19 Swinson, 20 Nakarawa, 21 Matawalu, 22 Jackson, 23 Lamont.
Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/robbie-henshaw-to-miss-ireland-s-tour-of-argentina-1.1813650
RaboDirect PRO12: Leinster host Glasgow Warriors in final at RDS
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