Leinster unlikely to risk Fitzgerald

RUGBY:LUKE FITZGERALD is expected to resume training tomorrow after a scan confirmed he had suffered bruising to his hip in the 25-23 victory over Saracens.

While he hasn’t been ruled out of Saturday’s Magners League game against Connacht at the Sportsground it’s unlikely Leinster coach Joe Schmidt will take any risks, a state of affairs that may also pertain to Brian O’Driscoll, who continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Leo Cullen and Jonathan Sexton showed no adverse reactions to recent injuries last weekend and the former could return to lead Leinster in Galway. Ed O’Donoghue is making good progress with his knee injury but won’t be available this weekend. Leinster’s team will be announced at lunch-time on Friday.

Leinster’s last two trips to the west have ended in defeat, a fact not lost on Leinster and Ireland prop Cian Healy. “They’re an improving team and over the last couple of seasons they have been becoming stronger. In recent times the Leinster game was one of their targets and they probably saw it as a good opportunity to get one over us.

“There will be stiff opposition from them and the Sportsground is a tough place to go. But a few of the Leinster boys will be going out there with a real point to prove that it’s not just big day occasions that we play for. We have had three big games lately and this is one where we can easily let the foot off the gas if we don’t come out with all guns firing.

“There’s an extra edge, personally speaking, when you’re playing against players you know. It’s the same when you play against Munster or Ulster. You know the players from the Ireland camps and . . . it’s good to get one over them.”

Meanwhile Ulster received a fillip ahead of this weekend’s trip to Edinburgh with the confirmation that centre Darren Cave, number eight Robbie Diack and prop Declan Fitzpatrick have agreed new contracts.

Cave will remain at Ravenhill until at least June 2013, while Diack and Fitzpatrick have signed contracts until June 2014. South African-born forward Diack will be eligible to play for Ireland on the three-year residency rule come July. Cave was a member of the Ireland Under 20 Grand Slam-winning team in 2007 and recently won his 50th cap. Cave signed his first contract with Ulster in 2008 and won his first Ireland cap against Canada on the 2009 summer tour to North America.

Springbok BJ Botha’s late return to Ulster because of Tri-Nations duty gave tighthead prop Fitzpatrick some cherished game time until he suffered a calf injury against Aironi in the Magners League.

Friday

Magners League: Edinburgh v Ulster, Murrayfield (7.05pm); Munster v Benetton Treviso, Thomond Park (7.45pm); Blues v Scarlets, Cardiff City stadium (8.05pm).

All Ireland League Division Two: Old Wesley v UCD, Donnybrook (8pm).

Saturday

Magners League: Connacht v Leinster, Sportsground (6.05pm); Dragons v Aironi, Rodney Parade (6.30pm).

All Ireland League (all 2.30pm)

Division One A: Blackrock v Old Belvedere, Stradbrook; Cork Constitution v Young Munster, Temple Hill; Garryowen v Dolphin, Dooradoyle; St Mary’s v Shannon, Templeville Road.

Division One B: Clontarf v Buccaneers, Castle Avenue; Galwegians v Dungannon, Crowley Park; UCC v Bruff, Mardyke; UL Bohs v Lansdowne, Thomond Park.

Division Two: Ballynahinch v Clonakilty, Ballymacarn Park; Bective Rangers v Ballymena, Donnybrook; Belfast Harlequins v Dublin University, Deramore Park; Corinthians v DLSP, Corinthian Park; Midleton v Malone, Towns Park; Old Crescent v QUB, Rosbrien; Terenure v Thomond, Lakelands.

Division Three: Ards v Instonians, Hamilton Park; City of Derry v Banbridge, Judge’s Road; Connemara v Greystones, Monastery Field; NUIM Barnhall v Navan, Parsonstown; Rainey OB v Highfield, Hatrick Park; Sunday’s Well v Seapoint, Musgrave Park; Suttonians v Nenagh Ormond McDowell Park; Wanderers v Naas, Aviva stadium.

Sunday

Magners League: Warriors v Ospreys, Firhill (4.10pm).