Murphy looks forward to a successful visit

European Cup: Geordan Murphy will face a homecoming of sorts when he lines out at Lansdowne Road for the Leicester Tigers in their European Cup quarter-final clash with Leinster on April 2nd. The Irish international, speaking on the Leicester website, anticipated a "warm welcome".

"There will probably be divided loyalties from my family as they're all from just outside of Dublin (Naas). I'm expecting a bit of abuse from the Leinster fans, but it'll be a lot of fun and hopefully we can get past them and into the semi-finals.

"We messed up against Biarritz, but it's good to get away with it. We're lucky to get in there, but we've got a second bite at the cherry. Sure, it would've been better having a home quarter-final, but it's knockout rugby and anything can happen now. If we can get a win in Dublin then we could suddenly find ourselves in the semi-finals and, who knows, maybe find ourselves up against Biarritz again."

In reference to Leinster Murphy said: "They're seeded one and for a reason. They're the form team at the minute and it'll be tough to go there and get a win; as it would be against any team away from home in the quarter-finals. They've got a fantastic team with strength of depth all the way through."

Leicester coach John Wells was philosophical about the draw. "You can't win it if you're not in it and we're still there. There's three good English clubs there, there's three good French clubs and two good Irish clubs and whilst the quarter-finals in the past have always favoured the home side to go through, it's still anybody's game. Teams will win quarter-finals away from home. . . I just hope we're one of them."

One Leinster player who'll hope to be in contention for the match is Keith Gleeson. The Irish flanker's rehabilitation from a broken leg is progressing well and the prognosis is that he'll make his return to competitive rugby at the end of next month or the start of March, possibly in the Celtic League game against the Neath/Swansea Ospreys in the first weekend in March. Des Dillon, who suffered medial ligament damage in his knee will be out for another four weeks.

A more pressing matter for the Irish province is this weekend's Celtic League game against The Borders at Netherdale. The team could be confirmed today with none of the front-line Irish players likely to be available.

Of the team that beat Treviso, only Emmett Byrne, Shane Jennings, Leo Cullen and Victor Costello are likely to survive, assuming coach Declan Kidney rests New Zealander David Howell. This would allow players like Felipe Contepomi, Brian O'Meara, David Blaney, Ricky Nebbett, Kieran Lewis, Aidan McCullen and Ciaran Potts to reclaim places in the line-up.

Second row Ben Gissing, restored to full health after a virus, will win his 50th cap for Leinster if he plays in Scotland.

Further good news for Kidney is that Gary Brown should be available following injury.