Dempsey out for Leinster

Girvan Dempsey has joined Leinster's growing casualty list. The Irish full back has been ruled out of the province's return meeting with Newport in Rodney Parade on Friday evening.

Dempsey has been troubled by an Achilles tendon injury, which the cloying surfaces in the Millennium Stadium especially and Lansdowne Road eight days later for the English game, accentuated the problem. Hence, the Leinster coach Matt Williams and the province's doctor Arthur Tanner have agreed the full back should be rested.

In addition they must await the progress of Denis Hickie, who was injured in Friday's 21-6 win over Newport. A more detailed prognosis on Hickie won't be known until today. Better news for Leinster is that Brian O'Driscoll trained yesterday and should return after missing last Friday's game due to knee and finger injuries.

Peter McKenna is likely to step in for Dempsey though if Hickie also is ruled out this could have repercussions for the Irish Development XV announced yesterday to play Samoa on Sunday and included the Leinster pair of Simon Keogh and John McWeeney on the wings.

Irish coach Warren Gatland was particularly thankful for the Leinster management's co-operation, not only with regard to Dempsey, but also in allowing their talented back-up outhalf Andy Dunne to assemble with the squad tomorrow before flying to Wales to link up with his provincial colleagues on Friday prior to playing against the Samoans.

Denied pretty much all of the four provincial 22-man squads who'll be in action this coming weekend, the Irish management's options were particularly stretched with regard to the composition of the back line. This was due in part to the ripple effect caused by the injuries to Dominic Crotty, John O'Neill and David Quinlan, as well as Dempsey.

Aside from the wings, there's also a doubt about the availability of Killian Keane who may be withdrawn by Munster if required to sit on the bench against Bridgend in Cork on Saturday. The pack looks a useful unit, with Paul Wallace the most high-profile name who has the chance to showcase his talents against Test-match opposition. The team will be captained by Liam Toland.

The Irish management will convene today to pick the squad for that game, and the likelihood is that Keith Wood, among others, might be rested in readiness for leading Ireland six days later against the All Blacks.

Mick Galwey, who led the Lions-less team in Bucharest last June, would be the most viable alternative to captain the side in Wood's absence and if he too is rested then the likeliest candidate would be David Humphreys (expected to return for Ulster in Friday's return fixture with Stade Francais) or Anthony Foley.