Rugby - Magners League Squad News:As expected, Stan Wright is set to deputise for the injured CJ van der Linde when Leinster meet Ulster on St Stephen's Day. Van der Linde limped out of the province's win over the Scarlets last weekend.
How long the calf injury will keep the South African sidelined is not clear at this stage but he was left out of Michael Cheika’s initial selection this morning.
"CJ (van der Linde) had a scan on Monday afternoon so he's walking around and off the crutches, which is a good sign, so please God he'll be alright, defence coach Kurt McQuilkin said today.
“Everyone else is fine apart from the long term injuries. Sexto' (Jonathan Sexton) could be back possibly for Connacht or Glasgow.”
Elsewhere, and with a full house due at the RDS, it would appear the Leinster coach intends to field a strong side with the rest of the players on duty last Saturday included in an extended panel.
Nathan Hines is named in the squad at this stage but, having withdrawn from the action early against Llanelli, could be replaced by Malcolm O’Kelly on Saturday.
Cheika will whittle his selection down on Thursday .
In Munster Tony McGahan has opted to go without the twin totems of Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan in a squad that shows a number of changes to the side that bravely defeated Perpignan in their own back yard last weekend.
A further five players that featured in the Stade Aime Giral win on Sunday are also rested but Munster still show a strong squad ahead of their Magners League provincial derby against Connacht on St Stephen’s Day in Thomond Park.
The 27-strong squad includes Ronan O'Gara and last weekend’s Heineken Cup try scorers, Denis Fogarty, Denis Hurley, Jean de Villiers and Doug Howlett.
Leinster squad (v Ulster)
Forwards: Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Stan Wright
Backs: Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Chris Keane, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan
Munster squad (v Connacht)
Forwards: Darragh Hurley, Wian du Preez, Julien Brugnaut, Denis Fogarty, Damian Varley, Mick Sherry, Tony Buckley, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Niall Ronan, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Tommy O'Donnell.
Backs: Scott Deasy, Denis Hurley, Felix Jones, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling, Tom Gleeson, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Paul Warwick, Ronan O'Gara, Duncan Wlliams, Peter Stringer.
