Celtic League: Gordon D'Arcy could make his competitive seasonal bow in Leinster's Celtic League clash with Ulster at Donnybrook on Saturday. The rehabilitation from injury of the Ireland and Lions centre is believed to be complete and while he might not start this weekend's game he could be included on the bench.
Leinster coach Michael Cheika should also be able to call upon another casualty, Eric Miller, and a new signing, New Zealand secondrow Bryce Williams, who arrived in Ireland on Monday. His physical conditioning may be good enough to allow his inclusion in the match squad.
Given the type of injury sustained by the 23-year-old Australian lock Adam Byrnes - he suffered medial-ligament damage and could be out for another six weeks - Cheika will be carefully monitoring the progress of Malcolm O'Kelly.
The latest prognosis on the Ireland and Lions secondrow is that he is hoping to be available for the Celtic League match against Cardiff on October 15th at the RDS, the final match before Leinster open their Heineken European Cup campaign.
One of their European opponents, Bath, won their first Guinness Premiership match at the weekend when they edged out Newcastle. Former Leinster outhalf Andy Dunne has impressed Bath coach John Connolly since the underage international's summer move from Harlequins.
Dunne damaged a foot in that match and left on crutches, an injury that prompted Connolly to bemoan: "Andy seemed to have pinched a tendon in his foot. His foot is really sore and he will have a scan to determine the damage. It's a real shame because he was playing really well at the time."
The Irishman - who has an horrendous record with injury, being particularly unfortunate - underwent that scan and late last night the club were able to confirm the injury wasn't as bad as first feared. It turned out to be severe bruising and he could be available to play this weekend.
Celtic League leaders Ulster, who travel to Donnybrook, await a definitive medical evaluation on the ankle injury that forced David Humphreys to withdraw from their excellent victory over the Dragons at the weekend.
The outhalf did travel to the Ireland squad session last Sunday but returned home early.
Ulster coach Mark McCall is due to name his team after lunch today and Humphreys is rated an outside chance to start. Definitely missing are Paul Steinmetz (jaw, five weeks), fullback Bryn Cunningham (shoulder, two weeks) and Australian prop Rod Moore (leg, two weeks).
Munster will be without Paul O'Connell (hand) but coach Declan Kidney has no other injury concerns ahead of Saturday's game against Connacht at the Sportsground. Peter Stringer, a late withdrawal with a back strain prior to the province's victory over Llanelli at Musgrave Park last Friday, is expected to be fit.
The main concern for Connacht coach Michael Bradley ahead of the match is the injury to outhalf and playmaker Paul Warwick.
His chances are rated no better than 50-50. If the Australian were to miss out, David Slemen would wear the number-10 jersey and there could be a recall for Eric Elwood. The former Ireland outhalf retired from playing last season to become assistant coach but might be pressed back into action.
Meanwhile Barry Everitt (29) has become the first player in the professional era to score more than 1,500 points for London Irish. Going into last Saturday's game with Bristol Rugby on 1,497 points, he slotted a penalty in the fourth minute to reach the club-record 1,500 points in all competitions.
The Irishman, who has played 132 games for the club, holds the record for the most points scored in the Premiership in a season - 340 in 2001-2002.
Everitt admitted: "Little did I realise when I started playing for London Irish under Dick Best on a cold, wet evening at Sunbury in autumn 2000 that I would be kicking my 1,500th point for the club six seasons later in the wonderful surroundings of Madejski Stadium.
"I have been very fortunate to play for a great club with special coaches and players that have helped me enormously to reach this record."
