Squad news: Malcolm O'Kelly and Chris Whitaker have both been included in the initial 27-man Leinster squad for Saturday's seismic clash with Wasps at the RDS. O'Kelly missed last weekend's win over Edinburgh with a neck injury with giant lock Devin Toner deputising at Murrayfield.
Whitaker picked up a knock in Edinburgh and was replaced late on by Chris Keane in a game that Michael Cheika's side finally laid some ghosts to rest in the Scottish capital.
"Malcolm (O'Kelly) trained yesterday. I think that Devin (Toner) is starting to use his frame better and he knows that if he dips under a certain level that there are others waiting to step in," said Cheika. "Trevor (Hogan) and Cameron (Jowitt) are there as second row cover and they both bring different things. We would hope that everybody in the squad has the ability to go on and play Test rugby.
Cheika has almost a full squad to choose from, with the exception of long-term absentees Isa Nacewa and Gordon D'Arcy. His squad is identical to the one named at this stage last week for the trip to Scotland.
"We're still carrying a few bumps and bruises from Saturday, which is always going to happen when the intensity goes up in games. We've got to put that game away now and concentrate on Saturday. We know that it's a very big game for us and we really have our vision fixed towards this match (against Wasps)."
The coach is likely to persist with Felipe Contepomi at outhalf for the visit of the two-time champions with Jonathan Sexton again dropping to the bench. Back in his more familiar number 10 role, the Argentine playmaker help rejuvenate the Leinster backline, scoring his first try of the season and also putting Brian O'Driscoll away for his first try in almost two years.
Up front, the possible return of O'Kelly is the only obvious change on the cards with Cheika due to announce his match 22 on Friday afternoon.
"The last meeting (in the 2006/07 Heineken Cup quarter final) was a big game for us and they went on to win the tournament that year," added Cheika. "I don't think that Wasps game is out of date, but it's got to be taken in context. It was two seasons ago. We both have obviously moved on and I watched their game last Sunday.
"You've got Eoin Reddan who is the Irish back and he's a real threat also in the way he marshals the game. They have strength all over the park and that's something we have to watch. Castres almost set up a tent in their own 22 and Wasps were unlucky not to get a bonus point last week. You could see that they were up for it, as were we with our result.
Cheika believes last week's win over Edinburgh will serve his squad well, especially as the win came immediately Leinster's surprise defeat the week before to Connacht in the Magners League.
"We were happy with the win last week. We know we let our supporters down when we lost at home recently, so we want to win this week," he said. "We have to cope with Wasps' physicality and we need to be urgent and accurate in everything we do because they're a formidable side with a good history of playing cup rugby.
"I've watched all their games and if you look at them they're a win or two off being in the top four (position) in their league. They're a very strong team. In games like this, there's going to be a lot more direct confrontation so what you need to do is take your opportunities when they come."
Leinster Squad
Forwards: Cian Healy, Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, John Fogarty, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Cameron Jowitt, Sean O'Brien, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Keogh
Backs: Chris Keane, Chris Whitaker, Jonathan Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Keogh, Felipe Contepomi, Brian O'Driscoll, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Rob Kearney
