Rugby - Heineken Cup team news:With no new injury problems to contend with, Leinster coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged panel for Saturday's Heineken Cup match against London Irish. The clash at Twickenham (6pm) will determine the Pool Six winners.
Following the Exiles unexpected collapse at the Scarlets last weekend, coupled with Leinster’s bonus point win over Brive, the objective for the Irish province is relatively straightforward.
Simply deny London Irish a bonus point win at Twickenham, or indeed pick up a losing bonus point of their own, and Cheika’s side will progress as group winners.
Jonathan Sexton and CJ van der Linde completed their return from injury against Brive and, having come through unscathed, are in the travelling party for London.
Shane Jennings, who is back in action after serving a 12-week ban, is also retained, although he faces stiff competition from dynamic ball carrier Seán O’Brien.
"There a couple of minor bumps and bruises but we're hoping that everyone will be available," said assistant coach Alan Gaffney this afternoon. "We won't know that fully until a little bit later in the week, but we suspect that we'll be running out with a similar side this weekend. Both Jenno (Shane Jennings) and Sexto (Jonathan Sexton) came through fine.
"We've got a lot of options at the moment and we have a strong squad, so when you have variables to play (with) then it's a great position to be in and it does stand us in good stead for what's to come this weekend and, hopefully, what's to come in the future."
Waiting for them at Twickenham will be an Exiles side that has "great counter-attacking abilities", according to Gaffney, who admits revenge is on the cards after a 9-12 RDS defeat to Irish in round one.
"If you give their back three a lot of space and time, you're going to create problems for yourself. Obviously they're a great side who have an innate ability to take intercepts and run huge distances and score tries.
"You can't become loose and try to play Sevens rugby against them. It doesn't mean you can't attack them, but we will play a controlled game, which will be very positive. Both sides want to win and we definitely want to win for obvious reasons. Not intending to be said in a nasty way, but we owe them one."
England scrumhalf Paul Hodgson admits his side face a "massive challenge".
He added: "Leinster are flying at the moment and they are a formidable side.
“They will be coming for the win and we are in no doubt as to how tough it will be. It will be one of the toughest games this team has faced, a truly monumental task.”
Down south, there's a welcome return for familiar face, as Marcus Horan is back in the Munster squad for the first time since mid October ahead of Friday's final pool game against Northampton Saints at Thomond Park.
Munster fans will also be buoyed by the news David Wallace has been taking a full part in training depsite a calf inury forcing him off at half time in the win over Treviso last weekend.
Saints will not be welcoming the presence of the two Ireland forwards because only a win in Limerick will see them top the group.
However, Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder insists there's no fear in his camp after a 34-0 win over Perpignan left them with everything to play for.
“I think this match is everything you want,” said Mallinder. “When we saw the draw we knew it would be difficult, but what we did want to do was play ourselves into a position where come Round 6 we had something to play for – and we have managed to do that so that is satisfying.”
The winner-takes-all match was set up with maximum five point wins for both teams in round five, Munster winning 44-7 at Treviso and Northampton hammering the reigning French champions.
“We are going on the back of a good run – I think we are unbeaten in nine or 10 games – and that is very encouraging,” said Mallinder. “But we also know it is going to be very, very tough. We watched Munster’s ... and they are playing very well.
“However, so are we and we will take a lot of confidence from that and concentrate on our own game this week and go over there with both confidence and belief.
“Yes, there has been a lot of talk about our young England players and questions asked are they good enough to play international rugby.
“Well I don’t think you get any closer to playing international rugby than going over to Munster and if those lads have any aspirations of playing for England then they need to put in a performance on Friday night."
Leinster squad:Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright ,Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton
Munster Squad: Wian DuPreez, Julien Brugnaut, Stephen Archer, John Hayes, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Denis Fogarty, Damien Varley, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, James Coughlan, Mick O'Driscoll, Billy Holland, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, David Wallace, Tomas O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Jean De Villiers, Keith Earls, Tom Gleeson, Lifeimi Mafi, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling, Denis Hurley, Paul Warwick.