**Friday night at the RDS sees a rematch of last season’s Guinness PRO14 final as Leinster welcome Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets.** What’s at stake? Scarlets have good history in the RDS – they won the 2017 Semi-Final there on their way to the title. But since then Leinster have only lost once – to Benetton Rugby last April – at the RDS and are out in front at the top of Conference A. Scarlets snapped a three-game losing run in the Championship last time out against the Dragons but have only won once on the road in the Guinness PRO14 all season. And as they currently sit fourth in Conference A, need to turn their form around for the season run-in if they are to secure a spot in the Finals series. Team news (Leinster): Rob Kearney is back from injury to take his place as captain at full-back with Barry Daly on the right wing and James Lowe back from suspension on the left. In the centre Academy back Conor O’Brien and Rory O’Loughlin are again named together having also started against Connacht in the Christmas Inter-Pro. Read the team news ahead of tomorrow’s #GuinnessPRO14 contest at the RDS Arena: https://t.co/apga3xJAqC #LEIvSCA #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/DPxw1oDnXz — Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 24, 2019 Hugh O’Sullivan makes his first start for Leinster having made his European debut off the bench only last weekend against Wasps. O’Sullivan will have Skerries RFC man Ciarán Frawley outside him in the No.10 jersey. In the pack Jack McGrath, James Tracy and Michael Bent are the front row selected by Cullen with Ross Molony and Mick Kearney in the engine room. The back row consists of Max Deegan, Scott Penny and Caelan Doris. Team news (Scarlets): Steff Hughes will captain a Scarlets side deprived of 12 international stars. That means that in come players like Ioan Nicholas on the right wing, while Kieran Hardy at scrum-half joining Dan Jones at ten following an accomplished performance against Racing 92. Josh Macleod continues at No.8 with youngster Dan Davis at his side. One International who is available for Scarlets is lock Jake Ball who has an opportunity to gain some valuable game time before the start of the Six Nations. Talking points Looking ahead to this week’s clash against the best team in Europe, Scarlets head coach, Wayne Pivac said: “It’s evident they don’t lose many games even though we have beaten them this year. “I think it was a pretty good effort on our part, in particular that evening. We had to play well physically and match them physically which I think we did on that evening. “We took our opportunities and were lucky enough to come out with a win. Team Announcement | Cyhoeddiad Tîm Here’s the team heading to Dublin to face @leinsterrugby tomorrow evening⬇️ Dyma’r tîm sy’n teithio i Ddulyn i wynebu Leinster nos yfory ⬇️#inthepack #ynypac pic.twitter.com/Z9r3UBoerE — Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) January 24, 2019 “I think our recent form is improving and we’re heading in the right direction. We’re really looking forward to Friday night, it’s a big game for both sides. When their Internationals are away, they get excited like our guys do so we’re expecting a very stern test.” Key battle – Rob Kearney v Johnny McNicholl On the eve of the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, Rob Kearney makes his injury return looking to prove his form and fitness to Joe Schmidt. Ireland’s opener against England is just over a week away and Kearney will captain Leinster from full-back against the Scarlets. In the No.15 jersey for the Welsh side is Johnny McNicholl – the man who scored a hat-trick in last year’s Guinness PRO14 final against the same opponents. Key stat Leinster’s defeat to Munster at Thomond Park is their only loss in all competitions since October. Did you know? Scarlets have never before done the domestic double over Leinster, but after beating them in round two at Parc y Scarlets, could make history on Friday night. Leinster: Rob Kearney, Barry Daly, Rory O’Loughlin, Conor O’Brien, James Lowe, Ciaran Frawley, Hugh O’Sullivan, Jack McGrath, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Mick Kearney, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Caelan Doris Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrnce, Vakh Abdaladze, Jack Dunner, Oisin Dowling, Jamison Gibson-Park, Noel Reid, Jimmy O’Brien, Tom Prydie Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl, Ioan Nicholas, Kieron Fonotia, Steff Hughes, Paul Asquith, Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy, Phil Price, Marc Jones, Werner Kruger, Jake Ball, David Bulbring, Tom Price, Dan Davis, Josh Macleod Replacements: Dafydd Hughes, Dylan Evans, Simon Gardiner, Josh Helps, Ed Kennedy, Jon Evans, Morgan Williams At RDS Arena, Dublin, 7.35pm. TV: Live on eirSport, Premier Sports and TG4 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 87th competition game) Assistant Referees: Frank Murphy (IRFU), Vincenzo Schipani (FIR) TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
