Cheika embracing Munster challenge

MAGNERS LEAGUE TEAM NEWS:NOT FOR the first time in their lives, Leinster were forced to adopt a watching brief last weekend as Munster hogged the Heineken Cup limelight, but they host them at a capacity RDS this weekend with an 11-point buffer over them atop the Magners League table.

After what now seems an even more valuable win over Munster last October in Musgrave Park, completing the double this Saturday therefore would constitute a significant step towards winning the League for the first time since the 2001-02 inaugural campaign.

Hence, Munster will not be facing green-eyed monsters this Saturday, more blue-jerseyed local rivals with their own agenda. As for all the plaudits that went Munster's way, Michael Cheika said: "They deserve it. There's a quantum shift that has to go on in that we don't worry about what Munster do. We only have to worry about what Leinster do. That's the shift I want to make sure happens, and it is happening. If they go on to win it, which I think they will, then good on 'em.

"What we've got to do is do what we can do in this league right now and then next year we get another chance at the cup and have a go at it then. Jealousy will get you nothing. Hunger will get you everything.

"They had a very good performance last weekend and dominated the game and intimidated the opposition into playing exactly how they wanted them to, and that's why they're the best team in Europe. We've got to make sure we learn from some of the mistakes that Gloucester made, and that we don't make the same ones on Saturday."

The game, which will be refereed by England's Chris White, is an 18,500 sell-out, thereby increasing Leinster's average attendance of 13,350 this season. "I think that weeks like these are the most enjoyable weeks, to be honest, because it's like a cup final atmosphere," said Cheika, reflecting the sense of anticipation in the Leinster camp.

Although Brian O'Driscoll has been named in a provisional squad of 26, his chances of playing are low. Compounding Gordon D'Arcy's absence until the end of the month, fellow centres Michael Berne (ankle) and Christian Warner (back) are also doubts.

Cheika said he would have no fears about putting Eoin O'Malley into the starting line-up if Berne and Warner are ruled out.

"We need some cover in the centre and he is an out-and-out 13. I know it'll be a big game for him to play, with it being at home, but he has had some good form in the Ireland Under-20s so we've got a lot of confidence in the young fella."

Leinster have been linked with the Wallabies and Waratahs backrower Rocky Elsom, but Cheika conceded "he would be a nice player to get, but I'd say it's unlikely because I think the (Australian) Union won't let him go or give him an early release from his contract."

They are also looking to promote some of their Academy players next season, with others earmarked for loan spells in the Southern Hemisphere, which is where the departing Ollie le Roux could maintain a link with the province.

"He definitely wants to keep some sort of involvement with us, so we have got some plans in terms of broadening our horizons with him. But he has had a great impact and hopefully he'll have as big an impact this weekend. He's up for the game and he's determined to finish off a job well done so far."

Michael Bradley has announced a 27-man squad ahead of his side's clash with Ulster at Ravenhill tomorrow. The Samoan brothers, Ray Ofisa and Ofisa Treviranus, are rated as 50-50 pending fitness tests later in the week, while the Galwegians trio of Joe Merrigan, Peter Durcan and Ronan Loughney have also been included.

The Ireland fitness and conditioning coach Mike McGurn has turned down the chance to fill a similar position with the All Blacks. McGurn had been flown over by the NZRFU to be interviewed for the position but contacted them over the weekend to rule himself out of consideration as his wife is giving birth to their first child in September.

"It was a massive opportunity and I felt really honoured to be asked by the best team in the world. It's something I'd like to continue with Ireland but we'll have to wait and see," said McGurn, who like the rest of the Irish coaching staff is in a degree of limbo pending the IRFU's appointment of a new head coach.

LEINSTER SQUAD (v Munster):Forwards: C Healy, O le Roux, B Blaney, B Jackman, S Knoop, S Wright, L Cullen, T Hogan, M O'Kelly, C Jowitt, S Keogh, K Gleeson, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Backs: C Keane, C Whitaker, F Contepomi, J Sexton, L Fitzgerald, R Kearney, M Berne, C Warner, B O'Driscoll, E O'Malley, S Horgan, G Dempsey.

CONNACHT SQUAD (v Ulster):A Browne, L Casserly, M Deane, G Duffy, A Dunne, P Durcan, A Farley, A Flavin, J Fogarty, D Gannon, R Loughney, K Matthews, B McGovern, C McPhillips, J Merrigan, R Morris, M Mostyn, J Muldoon, T Nathan, J O'Connor, R Ofisa, C Rigney, D Riordan, R Shaw, O Treviranus, B Wilkinson, D Yapp.