Rugby:As far as preparations go, things couldn't be much better for Leinster coach Joe Schmidt as it emerged his squad is fit and well following the Magners League win over Ulster, ready to take on Aironi Rugby in Stadio Luigi Zaffanella on Saturday.
At an open training session at the RDS today, 1,700 fans turned out to see Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll train after sitting out last weekend’s win with minor niggles, while Shane Jennings showed no ill-effects from his first competitive game in two months.
Both Leo Cullen and Kevin McLaughlin sustained knocks in the 34-26 victory over Ulster but both are expected to be fit for the trip to Italy and, presuming all goes well this weekend, the European Cup semi-final against Toulouse on Saturday week.
With such a big game on the horizon, Friday’s team announcement will be another fine balancing act for Schmidt.
Shane Horgan could be afforded some time off after his two-tries brought his league tally to seven in 14 games, but then Schmidt may be reluctant to stifle that sort of momentum.
Cian Healy will win his 75th cap if he returns to the frontrow after a three-minute cameo at flanker on Saturday. His inclusion, however, may deny Heinke van der Merwe a chance to add to his first Leinster try in his 27th appearance after the South African scored one of the five against Ulster.
