Rugby:Long-time absentee Luke Fitzgerald has been named in a 25-man Leinster squad ahead of Friday's pre-season friendly against London Irish at Donnybrook (kick-off 7pm).
Fitzgerald makes a welcome return after an injury sustained against Australia last November ruled him out for the rest of the season. Fergus McFadden is also included after missing Ireland’s summer tour to Australia and New Zealand
Sean O’Brien and Devin Toner also return to the squad, who were put through their paces in Clondalkin RFC yesterday.
Summer signings scrum-half Isaac Boss and South African prop Heinke van der Merwe are included for the visit of the English side and have also been named in a squad containing seven Leinster Academy players plus regulars, Isa Nacewa and Stan Wright.
In Munster Denis Leamy, Donnacha Ryan and Ian Dowling were named in a 26-man squad ahead of their friendly against Leicester Tigers at Musgrave Park on Friday (kick-off 7pm).
Recent signings Wian du Preez and Sam Tuitupou have also been included for the Cork fixture.
Leamy has been sidelined since requiring knee surgery after the Heineken Cup game against Perpignan in December. Ryan has been out of action since February after a shoulder operation. Dowling missed the end of the season with a knee injury.
"In terms of preparation, the facility here in La Manga has been excellent and we've managed to get in quality core rugby work along with valuable organisational matters," said coach Tony McGahan, from Munster’s week-long training camp in La Manga in Spain.
"Leicester Tigers on Friday and Gloucester next week provides us with the ideal opponents ahead of the competitive start to the season.
"The game against Leicester on Friday will see the return to action of players such as Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy and Ian Dowling who missed large parts of last season through injury.
"We would also expect to see newcomers Sam Tuitupou and Wian du Preez continue their integration into the squad, while the opportunity will also arise to expose some of the young talent coming through to top class opposition."
New talent coming through the ranks include; Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Dave Ryan, Mike Sherry and Peter O'Mahony, while Paddy Butler and Simon Zebo and Corey Hircock.
All four provinces are in action this weekend with Ulster to take on the Harlequins at the Stoop on Saturday (2.30pm), while Connacht take on Saracens at the Sportsground (6.30pm).
Leinster squad (v London Irish)
Backs: Isaac Boss, Luke Fitzgerald, David Kearney, Michael Keating, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden, Ian McKinley, Niall Morris, Isa Nacewa, Paul O’Donohoe, Eoin O’Malley, Eamonn Sheridan Forwards: Jason Harris-Wright, Trevor Hogan, Ben Marshall, Jack McGrath, Sean O’Brien, Mike Ross, Dominic Ryan, Paul Ryan, Eoin Sheriff, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Heinke van der Merwe, Stan Wright
Munster squad (v Leicester Tigers)
Backs: Denis Hurley, Felix Jones, Ian Dowling, Danny Barnes, Simon Zebo, Scott Deasy, Sam Tuitupou, Corey Hircock, Paul Warwick, Duncan Williams, Conor Murray. Forwards: Wian du Preez, Dave Ryan, Stephen Archer, Darragh Hurley, Mike Sherry, Denis Fogarty, Billy Holland, Dave Foley, Ian Nagle, Donnacha Ryan, Paddy Butler, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter O'Mahony, James Coughlan, Denis Leamy.