Rugby:Leinster remain confident that Brian O'Driscoll could play some part in the upcoming Heineken Cup double-header against Clermont despite the jaw injury he suffered while on Ireland duty against Argentina last weekend.
It is unlikely, however, that he will be available for the trip to France next weekend with the return leg at the Aviva Stadium on December 18th a more realistic target.
O’Driscoll had further tests on the injury yesterday and a clean break has been ruled out.
While his cracked cheekbone still needs time to heal, it is hoped he will be back in action this side of Christmas.
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt will use tomorrow night’s trip to Llanelli to give his front-liners one final run-out before the daunting match in Auvergne. Eoin Reddan, Gordon D’Arcy, Jonathan Sexton and Devin Toner all return following the autumn internationals to shore up the side that lost to the Ospreys last weekend.
Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss and Sean O’Brien are restored to the front row while Nathan Hines and Shaun Berne are named on the bench.
Rhys Ruddock, a replacement against the Ospreys, is conscious of the need to build momentum before the Heineken Cup resumes.
“It’s a big month for the province and we’re all excited by the challenges ahead,” the flanker said today. “We’re finishing off this part of the league season before two big European games, but we’re fully focused on this game. Nothing else matters.
“You want to be involved in all of the games and put yourself in the picture [for selection], so Friday night provides us all with another big test and one we’re looking forward to.”
Two of the three matches due to take place in Ireland this weekend have fallen by the wayside due to the arctic conditions around the country. Following a pitch inspection at Ravenhill this lunchtime, Ulster postponed their match with the Dragons.
Earlier this morning, Connacht were forced into the same course of action as the freezing conditions at the Sportsground showed little sign of improvement ahead of tomorrow night’s match against Aironi.
Munster, who don’t face Cardiff until Saturday evening at Thomond Park, are hoping that contest will go ahead as planned.
Leinster:I Nacewa; S Horgan, E O'Malley, G D'Arcy, F McFadden; J Sexton, E Reddan; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen, D Toner; R Ruddock, D Ryan, S O'Brien. Replacements:T Sexton, J McGrath, C Newland, N Hines, S Jennings, P O'Donohoe, S Berne, D Kearney