Magners League squad news:Leinster are hopeful of including two of their Ireland international contingent for Friday's opening clash against Glasgow at Firhill.
The international players have been continuing their strength and conditioning programme this week, and depending on the outcome of fitness tests, two may be released for the game against the Scottish side.
Leinster are also hopeful that Mike Ross will recover from a calf strain in time for the game. The Ireland prop will train tomorrow and a decision will be made on his availability ahead of the announcement of the starting XV.
The province confirmed that Stan Wright (Achilles), Leo Cullen (shoulder) and Kevin McLaughlin (shoulder/knee) remain long-term absentees, but they hope Shaun Berne (Achilles) will return to action in October.
Aside from a number of bumps and bruises the panel is unchanged from the pre-season friendly against Leicester Tigers in Welford Road last weekend.
Leinster skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy expects a tough opener at Firhill on Friday, but pointed out that Glasgow are also carrying injuries into the game.
“I think that Glasgow will give us a very big test. They play a nice brand of rugby, they’ve got some serious ball carriers and they play with a lot of width so, because of that, they will pose a threat. They’re a reasonably settled side, even though they have a few injuries like ourselves, but they’ll be throwing everything at us on Friday night,” said Murphy.
The return to the fold of the international players will, in Murphy’s opinion, provide a big boost to the younger members of the side, who have played in much of the pre-season campaign
“When some of the international lads come back it will give the (younger) guys a lot of confidence. The players who have played so far have been the younger guys and they have had a lot of good experience.
“They have all learned a lot but with the senior guys coming back into the panel over the next three or four weeks it will help cement down what we’re trying to do and help give us a little bit more direction. In saying that the guys that have been there have played very well.
“It’s a learning curve and we’re obviously trying to change a little bit in the way that we’re trying to play the game. Any mistakes that we have made (against Wasps and Leicester Tigers) have been punished heavily.
“But we have definitely taken a step forward this week and this week again it’s about stepping up. We’re in a situation where we’re playing for points now so we have to do the business on Friday night,” added Murphy
Ulster welcome back internationals Paddy Wallace and Tom Court for their opening clash against Ospreys at Ravenhill on Friday night.
Coach Brian McLoughlin is still without the South African duo of BJ Botha and new signing Ruan Piennar due to their involvement in the Tri-Nations, while Ireland international Andrew Trimble leads an injury list that also includes fellow Ireland players Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy and Scottish international Simon Danielli.
“I am delighted to welcome Tom and Paddy back from Irish duty and have no doubt that they will further bolster a squad that has already gelled impressively in our pre-season encounters,” said McLoughlin.
“We’ve had three good warm-up games in August that have allowed the management to trial a wide range of players but it only starts counting from now and we are looking forward to testing ourselves in the tournament opener against last season’s winners,” he added.
ULSTER (squad): Backs:Adam Darcy, David McIlwaine, Nevin Spence, Mark McCrea, Tommy Seymour, Jonny Shiels, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Ian Porter, Paul Marshall.
Forwards:Tom Court, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andy Kyriacou, Tim Barker, Johann Muller, Ryan Caldwell, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson, Robbie Diack, Stephen Ferris, Pedrie Wannenburg