European Cup: Team check

Leinster

Terenure College fullback Girvan Dempsey returns to the Leinster team for tomorrow night's Heineken European Cup clash with Edinburgh Reivers at Donnybrook, fully recovered from the torn ankle ligaments sustained while playing for Ireland against South Africa last November.

Dempsey has been back in training for two weeks and although not risked against Munster last weekend, has taken a full part in all contact sessions over the past 10 days. Coach Matt Williams is unperturbed about his lack of match practice: "Girvan has been going very well in training, is fully recovered and has been able to do all that has been asked of him. He was playing very well prior to the injury."

Dempsey's return means that Gordon D'Arcy moves to the left wing with Peter McKenna dropping to the bench. St Mary's College tyro Peter Smyth, who started for the first time in a competitive match against Munster, retains the hooking berth with Shane Byrne among the replacements.

Williams explained: "Shane (Byrne) got an injury in training last week but we were always going to start Peter (Smyth) in Cork. He (Smyth) had been on the bench for so long that it was becoming a mental thing. There is nothing between the hookers and both will play in this match. The style that Edinburgh play is very different to other opposition and we felt that tactically Peter would be better starting.

"Biarritz present a different proposition in that they have a bigger pack so we might change it round for that game."

Eric Miller's thumb injury ensured that Trevor Brennan would start tomorrow and his place on the bench goes to DLSP's Declan O'Brien, who has shown remarkable determination to overcome a succession of knee injuries.

Leinster captain Liam Toland paid tribute to Brennan's influence in the squad and the patience he has shown when not starting a match: "He has an amazing attitude to the game. He always seems upbeat, even when he was not starting, never letting his head drop. He retains an open mind and a positive demeanour and that is infectious to the squad. He is fantastic for everyone around him."

The kick-off in Donnybrook on Friday night is 7.0 while RTE will show a delayed (7.30) full transmission of the game. The province unveil Liam the Leinster Lion for the match, and are hoping that the two mascots, Bentley Halpin, son of reserve prop Gary, and Teddy Williams, son of coach Matt, will bring them the required good fortune.

Edinburgh Reivers arrive in Dublin tonight and are expected to retain the team that started in the 17-15 defeat of Newport last weekend.

Leinster: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; E Hekenui, B O'Meara; R Corrigan, P Smyth, E Byrne; R Casey, M O'Kelly; T Brennan, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: P McKenna, M McHugh, K Putt, G Halpin, S Byrne, L Cullen, D O'Brien.

Munster

Munster will be without their first-choice centre partnership of Jason Holland and Mike Mullins for Saturday's pivotal European Cup game against Newport at Rodney Parade (5.35). To play Holland, out since damaging a thigh in mid-December, would have constituted too great a risk, although he will be available for the final home game against Castres.

Mullins may make the bench. He had the wire removed from his broken jaw on Monday but the first time that he is allowed a contact session is on the day of the match. Munster team manager Jerry Holland confirmed: "The consultant is very happy with his progress but he would prefer if he didn't get involved in contact until Saturday."

Coach Declan Kidney must decide whether to risk including him among the replacements. Killian Keane is named at inside centre and will be partnered by John Kelly with Shannon's John O'Neill on the wing.

The half backs remain the same, as does the pack. Kidney will finalise the replacements today from a list of 10. Twenty-six players will travel to Newport including Jason Holland, the latter though only in a spectating capacity. Jerry Holland pointed out: "There was no point is taking that risk. We are very hopeful that Jason will be available for the following week, he's having physio every day."

Peter Clohessy took no part in training on Tuesday with a niggling back strain but will definitely start on Saturday.

Munster: D Crotty; J O'Neill, J Kelly, K Keane, A Horgan; R O'Gara, B O'Meara; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), J Langford; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements (from): M Horan, P Bracken, J Blaney, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, C McMahon, T Tierney, M Mullins, J Staunton, B O'Neill.