Rugby:With the Celtic League put to bed for the next number of weeks, all focus returns to the Heineken Cup with the pool stages to be finalised over the next two weekends. For Leinster, Joe Schmidt has a number of injury concerns but is confident of having a full squad for Saturday's showdown with Saracens.
Schmidt’s squad trained at Donnybrook this afternoon after their 15-10 Magners League win over Ospreys last Friday. Sean O’Brien was rested for that match but rejoined the panel and will be available for selection for Saracens’ visit.
Cian Healy (hamstring), Jamie Heaslip (ankle) and Jonathan Sexton (calf) all picked up injuries against Ospresys, but management will monitor their progress this week and remain hopeful the trio will be available for selection.
Leinster are currently top of Pool 2 on 14 points with Saracens bottom with just six, but the English Premiership outfit ground out a 12-6 win over London Irish yesterday to consign their opponents to a 10th straight defeat.
Outhalf Jonathan Sexton scored 25 points in a man-of-the-match performance in the reverse fixture against Saracens at Wembley last October and will look to build on his 42-point tally in this year’s competition.
The Leinster starting XV with be named at midday on Friday with kick-off at the RDS on Saturday at 1.30pm. Over 17,000 tickets have been sold for the penultimate pool game and tickets are still available from the usual outlets.
After a miserable European campaign, Saracens have already started building towards the future and director of rugby Mark McCall believes the signing of outhalf Charlie Hodgson represents a “major step” for the club.
Sarries today confirmed that 30-year-old Hodgson will leave Sale, where he has spent his entire career, in the summer to begin a long-term contract with the Vicarage Road outfit.
McCall, who has taken over from Brendan Venter after the South African chose to return to his homeland with his family following yesterday’s win London Irish, will be hoping that Hodgson can provide Saracens with real authority and a clear first-choice number 10.
The Londoners had rotated between Derick Hougaard and Alex Goode this season until the South African ruptured his Achilles tendon in October. Teenager Owen Farrell has filled the role in recent weeks with Goode restored to his more familiar role of full-back.
The move could also have consequences for recent signing Gavin Henson, who has voiced a desire to play at 10 since returning to the game from his self-imposed exile. And former Ulster boss McCall said: “As a club, we have been making massive strives over the past couple of years and the signing of Charlie Hodgson is another major step.
“He is a world-class player whose personality and ability ideally suits our environment. Charlie was wanted by many leading clubs, and we are delighted he has chosen to sign with Saracens.”
