Clean bill of health for Leinster
Rugby team news:Brian O’Driscoll will be available for Leinster’s all-or-nothing Heineken Cup clash with Exeter this weekend. The Ireland captain, only just back from ankle surgery, went over on his other ankle during the win over the Scalets last Saturday but has received the all-clear following a precautionary scan.
With Leinster needing to record another bonus point win to stand any chance of qualification, the news on the injury front is positive for coach Joe Schmidt with no problems arising out of the Scarlets match and Sean O’Brien, Richardt Strauss and Kevin McLaughlin all due to return. O’Brien was ruled out through illness just before kick-off last Saturday while Strauss and McLaughlin have recovered from injury.
The news was not so good for Ulster, however, with influential number eight Nick Williams added to a lengthening injury list. Williams is expected to be out for up to eight weeks after sustaining medial ligament damage during their win over Glasgow last Friday night. Although he will be ruled out of Ulster’s final pool match in Castres on Saturday, Williams should be fit when the competition resumes in April following the Six Nations.
Ulster have already qualified for the last eight but need to win in France if they are to secure an all-important home quarter-final.
Munster, meanwhile, are still waiting to learn if Ronan O’Gara will be cited after he appeared to kick out at Edinburgh lock Sean Cox during yesterday’s match at Murrayfield. The citing commissioner, Alberto Recaldini of Italy, has 50 hours from kick-off to decide. If O’Gara is cited he can expect to sit out this weekend’s final pool match at home to Racing Metro.
