Dempsey returns to Leinster team

Girvan Dempsey and Brian O'Driscoll both return to the Leinster team to play Gloucester in the Heineken Cup at Kingsholm tomorrow night (7.30).

Dempsey's selection at fullback means Rob Kearney, who had deputised superbly in recent games, drops to the replacements bench.

An injured ankle had sidelined Dempsey since before Christmas but he returned to training last week.   Still, he played no part in Saturday's comprehensive 49-10 win over Edinburgh but coach Michael Cheika hinted yesterday he would start the 31-year-old in tomorrow's game.

Fit-again Brian O'Driscoll returns to captain the side having missed that game against the Scots and he resumes his centre partnership with the in-form Gordon D'Arcy.  Kieran Lewis, who deputised for O'Driscoll at Donnybrook, drops out of the squad altogether.

Hooker Bernard Jackman retains the number two jersey following a string of impressive performances while standing in for Brian Blaney, who is named among the substitutes having returned from a rib injury sustained against Agen in December.

Either Christian Warner or the fit-again Luke Fitzgerald will fill the last spot on the replacements bench but Cheika won't make that call until shortly before kick-off.

Leinster have, of course, already qualified for the quarter-finals but are desperately seeking a home draw in the knockout stage - something they failed to do last season.

"Winning on Friday is important because we want to make our own destiny," Cheika said. "We know that our chances of progressing further will increase if we a get a home quarter-final."

"There's no risk of complacency," he added. "We're very motivated to manage our destiny. . . we know that we have to peak on Friday night."

Gloucester must plan without a host of players.  Fullback Olly Morgan and centre Anthony Allen are injured so Iain Balshaw moves from wing to fullback, Jack Adams comes in at outside centre and James Bailey returns in place of James Simpson-Daniel, who has a rib injury.

Halfbacks Willie Walker and Peter Richard were substitutes in the defeat to Agen last week but start tomorrow at the expense of Ryan Lamb and Rory Lawson.  James Forrester is still sidelined with a knee injury so Adam Balding retains the number eight shirt while Nick Wood replaces Christian Califano in the front row.

"In a game of last week's intensity there are obviously some casualties and we are not in a position to risk anyone at this stage," coach Dean Ryan said.

"Nevertheless, we have a strong squad for what is an important game for us - Leinster have obviously already won the pool but we want to test ourselves against that calibre of opposition. There will be a capacity Kingsholm crowd and we are fully motivated."

Finally, Gavin Williams and Ryan Strudwick have both recovered from knocks and replace Darren Yapp and David McGowan in the Connacht squad for Saturday's European Challenge Cup match with Harlequins at the Stoop.

Leinster:  Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Gordon D'Arcy, Denis Hickie, Felipe Contepomi, Chris Whitaker, Stan Wright, Bernard Jackman, Will Green, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Stephen Keogh, Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements:  Brian Blaney, Reggie Corrigan, Owen Finegan, Cameron Jowitt, Guy Easterby, Christian Warner or Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney

Gloucester:  Iain Balshaw; James Bailey, Jack Adams, Mike Tindall, Mark Foster; Willie Walker, Peter Richards; Nick Wood, Mefin Davies, Carlos Nieto, Marco Bortolami (capt), Alex Brown, Peter Buxton, Andy Hazell, Adam Balding. Replacements:Olivier Azam, Christian Califano, Will James, Jake Boer, Rory Lawson, Ryan Lamb, Rudi Keil.

Connacht squad:Peter Durcan, Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, John Fogarty, John Hearty, Chris Keane, Stephen Knoop, Matt Lacey, Mark McHugh, Conor McPhillips, Brendan O'Connor, Ray Ofisa, Conor O'Loughlin, Colm Rigney, Daniel Riordan, Ted Robinson, Ryan Strudwick, Brett Sturgess, Michael Swift, Paul Warwick, Brett Wilkinson, Gavin Williams.  Not considered due to injury: David Gannon (ankle), Ronan Loughney (knee), Keith Matthews (knee), Joe Merrigan (leg), Matt Mostyn (ankle), David Slemen (knee), Tom Tierney (ankle).