Leinster coach Matt Williams will be heartened by a dwindling queue for the treatment table as he begins his preparations for the resumption of the Heineken European Cup tomorrow fortnight. His priorities now centre on a warm-up clash with Munster at Musgrave Park this day week and in that respect is optimistic that two influential performers may take a limited part.
Terenure College full back Girvan Dempsey has made a remarkable recovery from the ankle injury sustained in the dying minutes of Ireland's defeat by South Africa at Lansdowne Road. He has been fastidious in his rehabilitation and this has considerably shortened his recovery time. Leinster team manager Ken Ging admitted: "Girvan has done really well and we are hopeful that he will be available for the Munster game."
Lansdowne prop Reggie Corrigan was originally expected to be doubtful for the Edinburgh Reivers game but Ging is adamant that he may play some part in the match against Munster seven days earlier. Corrigan would need some active duty ahead of any European Cup action. Shane Horgan, Liam Toland and Gordon D'Arcy are all making good progress with their respective injuries, although they may not be available to their club, Lansdowne, this weekend.
John McWeeney's return to the St Mary's College team for his first game of the season is another boost for the Leinster management, although he is not eligible to play in the two remaining pool matches: he was not registered in the original panel of 30 players but would be available when Leinster update their squad to European Rugby Cup Ltd.
Similarly Blackrock College outhalf Emmet Farrell could force his way back into the Leinster squad although his return to action is still four to six weeks away. Club-mate Brian O'Driscoll will not play for Blackrock this weekend, missing all five AIB League matches to date. A hamstring twinge will keep him on the sidelines.
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