RUGBY:Leinster coach Michael Cheika's policy of offering young players an opportunity to test their mettle with the senior elite continued with the promotion of scrumhalf Paul O'Donohue to an extended Leinster squad ahead of Friday's Magners Celtic League game against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.
The 27-man panel will be whittled down tomorrow, and the continued participation O'Donohue, who was part of the Ireland under-20 Grand Slam-winning team, will depend on the fitness of Guy Easterby.
For a man who was initially feared to have broken a leg in the victory over the Dragons, Easterby has made a remarkable recovery and is rated at 50/50 by his coach to be available.
O'Donohue is a player of potential and certainly won't be fazed if asked to start on the bench in what is a pivotal game for Leinster. He is joined in the squad by Cian Healy - it's the prop's second week on duty since his accession - but the underage international is likely to miss out on match duty.
On the subject of injury and personnel promotion, Cheika explained: "Bernard Jackman has been suffering from a pinched nerve in his neck but he will be in the 22 this week.
"Ronan (McCormack) won't play again this season, which is very frustrating for the player because he has certainly developed this year. I wouldn't be 100 per cent sure if he requires surgery.
"We're not going to take any chances with Brian (O'Driscoll) but we're hopeful that he will be back before the end of the season.
"Cian had a good look at the competitive level that is required over in the Dragons and there's no better away game to learn than in that intimidating atmosphere. He wants to be involved and he's pretty keen to get some game time.
"Paul is a player we see a good future for. He has a lot of work to do but we're very much looking forward to giving him an opportunity at some stage."
Ulster captain Simon Best conceded his team's hopes of retaining their Celtic League title may have disappeared last weekend when they lost in injury time to Cardiff, but it won't stop them working towards winning their last two games, starting with the match against Glasgow on Friday night.
"The title looks as if it is gone, but what we did say was that we wanted to go out and produce two big performances at Ravenhill. It has been a roller-coaster year and now it is important to finish the season well to carry it on into next year.
"We also want to give the Ravenhill crowd a send-off as well. There are a lot of guys feeling pretty disappointed but I don't think we will be short of any motivation going to Ravenhill for two more games."
David Humphreys, who missed the last game because of injury, is named on the bench.
Rory Best, a late withdrawal from the Cardiff game, is restored to hooking duties. His understudy has yet to be named.
Meanwhile, Trevor Brennan's appeal against his lifetime playing ban will be heard in Dublin on June 1st. The Toulouse and Ireland flanker (33) was suspended last month after being found guilty of misconduct following an altercation in the stands with Ulster supporter Patrick Bamford during a European Cup match on January 21st.
Brennan received a life ban from playing rugby and was also prohibited from participating in any capacity in tournaments organised by ERC, although this does not prevent him from coaching or managing outside the auspices of that tournament.
The player additionally received a fine of €25,000 and was ordered to pay €5,000 in compensation to Bamford.
ULSTER:B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; P Wallace, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best; J Harrison, R Caldwell; S Ferris, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: AN Other, J Fitzpatrick, T Barker, N McMillan, K Campbell, D Humphreys, P McKenzie.
LEINSTER (squad):R Corrigan, W Green, C Healy, S Wright, B Blaney, B Jackman, O Finegan, T Hogan, M O'Kelly, C Jowitt, S Keogh, K Gleeson, J Heaslip, K McLaughlin, G Easterby, P O'Donohoe, C Whitaker, F Contepomi, J Sexton, G D'Arcy, K Lewis, C Warner, L Fitzgerald, D Hickie, S Horgan, G Dempsey, R Kearney.
RugbyFixtures
FRIDAY
Celtic League: Ospreys v Leinster, Liberty Stadium (7.10); Ulster v Glasgow, Ravenhill (7.30).
SATURDAY
Celtic League: Munster v Dragons, Musgrave Park (5.0).
All-Ireland League: Division One Semi-finals (2.30): Cork Constitution v UL Bohemian, Temple Hill; Clontarf v Garryowen, Castle Avenue.
Division Three Final: Wanderers v Bruff, Templeville Road (2.0). Division Two Final: Old Belvedere v Greystones, Templeville Road (4.0).John O'Sullivan
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