Cheika has strong hand to play

Magners League: Leinster’s squad for the Magners League final against Ospreys on Saturday (6

Magners League:Leinster's squad for the Magners League final against Ospreys on Saturday (6.30pm) has familiar look of strength and depth. Apart from Luke Fitzgerald, Leo Cullen and Seán O'Brien, Michael Cheika has the personnel needed to leave on a high by winnng some more silverware.

Cullen is to undergo a shoulder operation and while Cheika admits it's a pity he's not involved, the decision to get treatment as soon as possible was "easy".

As it stands, the only concern Cheika has is prop Cian Healy, who has been "a bit ill and hasn't trained yet since the weekend", while O'Brien is in the squad but not in contention for a place.

"Sean O'Brien's not ready yet and he won't be back for this game. We decided that after training today and we've got enough in the squad (so we won't be adding to it)," said the coach today.

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At this stage of the season, the key for Cheika is to arrive at the final fresh and to that end, training has been light.

"The preparation has been a little bit different because we had the weekend off and we just tried to manage the week well so that, most importantly, we have guys running fresh. At this stage of the season it's just (about) refinements around the game strategy, it's more about having the players fresh. They just finished training and they looked quite fresh and raring to go.

"We'll probably only run one more time and get our little bits and pieces together. And then hopefully come Saturday night we'll be at our best."

Lock Malcolm O'Kelly is another preparing for his swansong and is named in a strong forward contingent that includes Bank of Ireland Player of the Year Jamie Heaslip, Trevor Hogan, Nathan Hines and CJ van der Linde.

The South African prop and scrumhalf Chris Keane have announced they too are heading for the exit with Cheika's team, O’Kelly, Girvan Dempsey and Bernard Jackman.

For now, though, it isn't about the movers and shakers, it's about Ospreys on Saturday.

"It's not about me or any of the individual players," said Cheika. "It's about the club and making the club better. It has always been about that. And that's how we'll look back anyway on the contribution that we make whether it's as coaches or players. We'll have plenty of time to say goodbye afterwards. This is about winning the game."

In the backline, Paul O’Donohoe is back-up to scrumhalf Eoin Reddan, while Rob Kearney will be looking to improve on his eight tries in 16 league matches this season.

Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll and Jonathan Sexton are included as well.

Leinster squad (v Ospreys)

Forwards: John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Trevor Hogan, Shane Jennings, Stephen Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin, Seán O'Brien, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright

Backs: Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton