Rugby – squad news:Three of Leinster's British and Irish Lions, Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney, were today named in Michael Cheika's 26-man squad ahead of their trip to face Magners League leaders Edinburgh in Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Leinster trio were named in the initial panel for the first time this season and are joined by Girvan Dempsey who missed last weekend's 18-11 victory away to the Ospreys.
Jonathan Sexton, who scored 15 points in the Liberty Stadium, is also included alongside the likes of Leo Cullen, Nathan Hines, Shane Jennings and 19-year-old Leinster Academy and Ireland Under-20 backrow forward Dominic Ryan.
"Edinburgh have always been a good side and perhaps they're only getting the recognition they deserve now after their excellent start to the season,” said Alan Gaffney, Leinster Consultant Coach ahead of the trip to the Scottish capital
“They're a side we know well having played them four times last season and with each game you can see how they're progressing, so that makes this weekend's game an exciting one to be a part of and one I know our players are looking forward to.
"We have won two out of our first three games this year and we are improving. We beat a Dragons side at home who are going well near the top of the league and followed that up with the win in Swansea last weekend, so we're pretty happy with where we are, but we also know that there's room for improvement.
With Fitzgerald, Heaslip and Kearney named in the squad, Gaffney added the remaining Leinster Lions are keen to get back in action.
"The remaining Lions players have been working very hard in training over the last few weeks and I know how desperately keen they all are to get back on the paddock and play,” he said.
“It has been a long pre-season for them, which was deserved after a long season, but they're fit and raring to go and we're happy to welcome them back to the panel. They will just add to the competition levels in the squad, which is good news for us.
Edinburgh opened their league campaign with three straight wins and Gaffney believes Leinster will have to pay particular attention to the Scottish pack if they are to take anything away on Saturday.
"Edinburgh have a hugely competitive pack. Their backrow has been a real area of strength for them in recent years and in my time coaching on this side of the world you expect to face a powerful pack.
“They have exciting backs who like to run and they are adept at spinning the ball out wide and playing with a lot of attacking flair. Phil Godman is playing well at 10 and Chris Paterson likes to attack from fullback.
"At this moment in time we know that we're not in top form, but we are improving. Saturday's game will be another massive challenge for us and one that we're looking forward to."
Leinster Rugby also confirmed their Round Five game against defending champions and provincial rivals Munster at the RDS on October 3rd has been sold out.
The following week (October 9th) Leinster take on London Irish at the same venue as they begin the defence of their Heineken Cup title against London Irish and over 17,000 tickets have been sold.
Munster are also set to feature a number of Lions as Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Keith Earls and Ronan O'Gara were named in Tony McGahan’s initial 26-man squad for the first time to face the Dragons this Sunday.
Of equal interest is the inclusion of new Munster signing Jean de Villiers after the Springbok centre joined up with his new team mates in Limerick last week.
David Wallace and Jerry Flannery, remain on the injured list as does Peter Stringer (calf strain) and Paul Warwick (foot ligament) while Doug Howlett gets a rest having played three games on the bounce.
In Ulster lock Dan Tuohy returns to Brian McLaughlin’s squad ahead of their trip to the Sportsground to take on Connacht on Friday night.
The coach named a 24-man squad with Tuohy recovering from the injury he picked up against the Ospreys.
There is still a notable injury list at Ravenhill with David Pollock, Ryan Caldwell, Bryn Cunningham, Matt McCullough and Rory Best all still unavailable.
Leinster squad (v Edinburgh):L Cullen, J Fogarty, C Healy, J Heaslip, N Hines, B Jackman, S Jennings, R McCormack, K McLaughlin, S O'Brien, M Ross, D Ryan, D Toner, S Wright, S Berne, G D'Arcy, G Dempsey, L Fitzgerald, S Horgan, C Keane, R Kearney, S Keogh, F McFadden, I Nacewa, E Reddan, J Sexton
Munster squad (v Dragons):M Horan, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, J Hayes, D Fogarty, D Varley, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, D Ryan, A Quinlan, T O'Donnell, D Leamy, N Williams, J Coughlan, T O'Leary, T Morland, R O'Gara, J Manning, L Mafi, J de Villiers, B Murphy, D Hurley, K Earls, F Jones.
Ulster squad (v Connacht):N Brady, B Botha, B Young, E O'Donoghue, A Kyriacou, D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, S Ferris, W Faloon, T Anderson, N McComb , T Court, D Fitzpatrick T Nagusa, D Cave, A Trimble, S Danielli, I Whitten, P Marshall, I Boss, I Humphreys, P Wallace, C Schifcofske
Connacht squad (v Ulster):L Bibo, A Browne, F Carr, S Cronin, G Duffy, A Flavin, J Hagan, I Keatley, R Loughney, K Matthews, M McCarthy, M McComish, R Morris, J Muldoon, F Murphy, T Nathan, M Nikora, J O'Connor, R Ofisa, C O'Loughlin, B Tuohy, B Upton, B Wilkinson, A Wynne.
