Glasgow Warriors v Leinster Rugby - Scotstoun, 06/09/14, KO 1715 - Sky Sports 1

former legend

After a summer of contract sagas, low-grade southern hemisphere rugby, confusion over EPCR and leaked coaching dossiers, the proper rugby season is finally upon us! Let us rejoice at the end of silly season and get down to some serious rugby.

Sky Sports kick off their coverage of the Pro12 with two potentially entertaining encounters, Scarlets hosting Ulster in the curtain raiser but this is the main event. It's probably no coincidence that the best two sides from last season are the ones to take the lead for Sky on their opening weekend, and hopefully the fans won't be disappointed.

Glasgow have named a strong team to take up from where they left off last season; they'll have no shortage of motivation after a very disappointing showing in the last-ever Rabo Pro12 final. Most of tomorrow's line-up featured in that match, particularly in the forwards, so they'll know exactly what to expect. It's not a full strength Glasgow team, missing players like Sean Maitland, Al Kellock and Duncan Weir, but there is a debut for new signing Euan Murray at tight-head. Another new signing James Downey doesn't get a chance to stick it to his former club.

The Leinster team has a decidely experimental look to it. Macken and Reid form a centre partnership that is inexperienced both individually and together, Ben Marshall makes his first senior start since February 2013 while the back row consists of three men who would all be viewed as 7s...

Still, plenty to look out for; Zane Kirchner had his best outing in blue against Glasgow in last year's final and the fans will be hoping for more of the same this season, Macken is the first to get a chance to pitch for the vacant 13 jersey and Mike Ross will look for a good start to the season as he bids to hold off Marty Moore.

Weather forecast is good, Nigel Owens is on the whistle and the players should be raring to go, so no excuses, this should be a cracker!

LET'S GET IT ON

Paddy Power has Leinster as 3-point favourites, or 4/7 for the straight win.

thomond2006

Nakarawa starting and Matawalu to come off the bench.

Where's me popcorn...

On another note, at least Hogg can get on the bench after being in the doghouse!

Tox56

Ugh, looking at those lineups and I feel we're going to be in for a wake up call here. Thats pretty much the first choice Glasgow team and we are very mix and match

sydneybound

It's a near sell out too which is always good for Glasgow. That said one temporary stand won't be completed till next month so capcity will be 6,000.

durkadurka

We usually lose our first game and we usually lose in Glasgow so I don't have high hopes.
Glasgae by 7

Swiwi.

Nice! FL doesn't disappoint. Just no mention of Reid at 2nd five...

NB: where is Maitland? Injured?

Swan Curry

Swiwi. wrote: »

Nice! FL doesn't disappoint. Just no mention of Reid at 2nd five...

NB: where is Maitland? Injured?

I'm guessing some of the players who were on the summer tour are being rested.It would explain Finn Russell's absence.

CatFromHue

Not sure where Maitland is though for some reason I have it in my mind that he was injured at the end of last season. Anyway he's not on the injured list

Not available due to injury: Connor Braid (head), Mike Cusack (medical/illness), Ryan Grant (shoulder), Dougie Hall (arm), Tyrone Holmes (trunk), Al Kellock (shoulder), Finn Russell (shoulder), Tom Ryder (knees), DTH van der Merwe (back), Richie Vernon (achilles), Duncan Weir (knee), Jon Welsh (shoulder) and Ryan Wilson (shoulder).

thomond2006

That's quite a list. Hall, Grant, Kellock and Wilson would probably start if fit.

former legend

Swiwi. wrote: »

Nice! FL doesn't disappoint. Just no mention of Reid at 2nd five...

He's got great potential as auxiliary stand-off alright.

Larbre34

Brendan Fanning

Here we go. Excited.

.ak

Kellock out.

.ak

No mention of Teo as a new arrival.

Larbre34

Brendan Fanning

Who's S. McCarthy?

Tox56

God I hate this game every year. Would definitely take a LBP

ssaye2

Worried and excited defence key

.ak

Larbre34 wrote: »

Who's S. McCarthy?

New IQ prop from England.

3 McGraths

.ak

C'mon Leinster!!

Has Reid just popped his shoulder already?

Not his shoulder, looks to be a leg.

41seconds on the clock and Madigan is getting ready.

Ugh, that was a gruesome enough replay. Knee twisted and weight went on.

.ak

Ah feck. Reid fecked?

.ak

Ouch.

Larbre34

Brendan Fanning

Ouch. Sorry for him.

RuggieBear

Leinster

that's some really **** luck.

ssaye2

Fcuuuk

former legend

That looks like ligaments. Heart-breaking sight, 41 seconds into the season.

Awkward Badger

Brendan Fanning

Pity about Reid. Madigan looks a bit bigger this season or something.

RuggieBear

Leinster

ffs boss.

Tox56

What in the name of god was that

Pitch looks absolutely unreal.

Awkward Badger

Awkward Badger wrote: »

Pity about Reid. Madigan looks a bit bigger this season or something.

Speaking of bigger - O'Brien looks heavier again from last year.

.ak

Usual ****e start to the season. Senior players at fault mostly here - lazy running, going into contact too high, standing too flat.

ThisRegard

Awkward Badger wrote: »

Pity about Reid. Madigan looks a bit bigger this season or something.

Looking at him last week he seemed pretty rock solid.

Larbre34

Brendan Fanning

Its just disjointed, need to tighten the discipline a bit and play the conditions. No panic.

ssaye2

Loving the intensity

Tox56

Marshall looks like a man who knows hes basically playing for a contract this season

Glasgow play very entertaining rugby.

molloyjh

Glasgow making gains far, far easily than we are. Also Cronin looks like a convict.

molloyjh

Great try.

RuggieBear

Leinster

looked forward

Kirchner did so well there, and they still scored!

Great try.

corny

Credit where its due....super try.

Larbre34

Brendan Fanning

Great score, everyone wide awake.

Tox56

Thats what you lose by not having a natural 8 playing at 8, SOB just had to get that ball out

Scrum was a disaster there, Healy dropping absolutely killed it!

Dunbar and Seymour did brilliantly.

molloyjh

Deleted User wrote: »

Kirchner did so well there, and they still scored!

Great try.

Kirchner missed the initial tackle though that got them in behind the line. He needed to make that.

ssaye2

Meh missing tackles

P_1

Glasgow really are a nightmare to defend against

Awkward Badger

Brendan Fanning

Close to touch there. Think Owens got away with that one. Should have been checked by right.

ssaye2

Healy it's takes two

Pudsy33

Awkward Badger wrote: »

Close to touch there. Think Owens got away with that one. Should have been checked by right.

He didn't get away with it if he was 100% right.