The Leinster squad trained in UCD on Monday afternoon as the province stepped up their preparations for Friday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at home to the Ospreys in the RDS (KO: 7.05pm)…
Following the break in the calendar for the Senior team over the last few weeks, the management are expected to be in a position to welcome back a number of players.
Brian O’Driscoll is progressing well after stepping up his rehab in recent weeks and may be fit for selection this week. Club captain Leo Cullen is ahead of schedule and may also complete his comeback to the panel following Achilles surgery in late January.
Kiwi out-half Mat Berquist successfully came through his first run out for Leinster ‘A’ in their recent 50-0 victory over Connacht and is available while recent signing Brad Thorn is also fit and available for selection after playing the first half of that victory in Old Belvedere RFC.
Mike Ross will be assessed by the medical team after suffering a shoulder injury in Ireland’s defeat to England in Twickenham and the province are hopeful that the Cork tight-head prop will return for the away trip to Munster.
With a number of players unavailable for the visit of the Welsh side after their exertions with Ireland over recent weeks, the Leinster management may call upon some of the lesser used Six Nations squad members for Friday’s game which could include the likes of Sean Cronin, Shane Jennings, David Kearney and Fergus McFadden.
Tickets sales for Friday’s game have passed the 16,700 mark and are on sale in the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.