Leinster team to face Glasgow Warriors

LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan
14: Simon Keogh
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Michael Keating
10: Paul O'Donohoe
9: Chris Keane

1: Ronan McCormack
2: Bernard Jackman CAPTAIN
3: Mike Ross
4: Trevor Hogan
5: Ciaran Ruddock
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Paul Ryan
8: Stephen Keogh

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Jack McGrath
18: Mark Flanagan
19: Dominic Ryan
20: David Moore
21: Kyle Tonetti / Brendan Macken
22: Andrew Conway

Speaking ahead of Friday's Magners League clash in Firhill, Leinster back-row forward RHYS RUDDOCK said that the game presents an opportunity for the remainder of the panel to stake a claim ahead of a busy end to the season...

"If you told me at the start of the year that I would have the chance to play two full games for the senior team I would have taken that, so Friday's game is another great opportunity for players like myself to try and make an impression.

"It's also nice to be playing with Ciaran in the Magners League for the first time because we have played a lot together this season in the AIB League with UCD.

"We know that we're up against it on Friday because Glasgow are a fantastic side. They have great power up front and their back-row unit are well regarded. Their six, Kelly Brown, likes to carry a lot of ball and right across their backline there's a huge array of talent, superbly marshalled by Dan Parks at out-half. He pins teams back and punishes any errors so we'll have to extra vigilant in our discipline this week.

"Max Evans has real pace out wide while their full-back (Bernardo) Stortoni is another threat.

"There are a lot of changes to our team this week, but we're going to approach this game in a positive manner. Training has been intense and even though we know we're not favourites it's a challenge the boys are relishing.

"There's a strong determination to uphold the traditions of the jersey and we'll take confidence from the manner in which the team has ground out victories over the last few months. That shows a certain level of mental toughness, which is good. But the biggest objective for us this week is to stick to the game-plan even if there are spells when things are going against us.

"Seeing the guys in training this week, even though there are a few (players) making their debuts, we can use that nervous energy to our advantage. I would never doubt the passion that the players in this squad play with.

"Friday presents an opportunity to show off all the hard work that has been done over the last few months and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Name: Rhys Ruddock
DOB: 13th November 1990
Birthplace: Dublin
Height: 1.91 m (6' 3")
Weight: 110 kg (17 st 3 lb)
Position: Back Row
School: Millfield School

Leinster Caps: 2
Leinster 'A' Cap: 1 (v Munster)
British & Irish Cup Cap: 1 (v Plymouth Albion)

Ireland Under-20 Caps: 14 (v Wales x3, France x2, Italy x2, England x2, Scotland x2, New Zealand, Uruguay, Samoa)
Leinster Under-20 Caps: 1 (v Connacht)