Leinster expect key men to recover

Rugby:Leinster expect to have Brian O’Driscoll, Kevin McLaughlin and Isa Nacewa available for the Heineken Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs on Saturday (3.40pm), after issuing a positive prognosis on the majority of their walking wounded today.

It was feared Saturday’s league derby win over Munster at the Aviva Stadium may have come at a cost for Joe Schmidt’s side but initial reports on a number of injuries look good.

McLaughlin hyper-extended his arm early in the contest on Saturday but management is “hopeful” the backrower can make a full recovery this week after scans “showed no bone damage and a limited amount of ligament and muscle damage”.

With Seán O’Brien, Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan all sidelined, it is a welcome diagnosis.

Nacewa “suffered a haematoma” in a collision with Munster scrumhalf Conor Murray but he, too, is expected to “fully recover” in time to be named in the panel at Friday lunchtime.

The ankle O’Driscoll “rolled” midway through the second half of the game is not a major concern at this stage, either, while “Andrew Conway (stinger) will be monitored during the week to determine his availability”.

Ireland quartet Isaac Boss (arm), skipper Leo Cullen (arm), Gordon D’Arcy (rib) and Cian Healy (bicep), who all missed the 30-21 win in Ballsbridge, are also likely to return.

Rob Kearney (back) may also be back in action this week, but Quinn Roux (shoulder) is likely to have to wait until the second round trip to Llanelli on Saturday week.