Cheika tries to see way round loss of Contepomi

Celtic League:There was something curiously apposite that on a day when Felipe Contepomi was receiving Leinster's Player of the Year award at a luncheon in Dublin he was the main topic of conversation at a press conference ahead of Saturday's Magners Celtic League clash with Ulster at Ravenhill.

Unfortunately for Leinster coach Michael Cheika the verbal bouquets he tossed the Argentinian's way merely served to highlight just how pronounced Contepomi's absence will be felt, having been diagnosed with a category two tear of a medial ligament that is likely to keep him out for close to six weeks.

The incident arose while playing for Argentina against France last weekend in the penultimate action sequence of that game. Contepomi was trying to clear out at a ruck and received a blow to the side of his leg. As he hobbled back into position, France won the ball and kicked to touch, thereby ending the match.

Cheika understandably dwelled on the qualities Christian Warner or Andy Dunne, one or other of whom will assume the playmaking duties, starting on Saturday, will bring to the team but it was difficult to sugar-coat what has been a setback for Leinster as they face into a pivotal part of their season.

Cheika admitted: "He's (Contepomi) a very integral player in the Leinster approach to the game. In saying that every squad member understands how we want to play the game.

"It means whoever fills that void, for this weekend it's going to be between Christian (Warner) and Andy Dunne, they understand how we want to play.

"Felipe is a very direct runner which is hard to replace. Christian's got a brilliant passing game and Andy Dunne has a quite good running game and a good kicking game so there's different things they can bring to the table. Defensively it's another area; Felipe is a tiger.

"One thing we do have is a lot of confidence in the players we do carry. No one goes out there without the full backing of the team."

The vexed question of who will succeed Contepomi is complicated somewhat by the fitness of Girvan Dempsey. The fullback received a heavy blow to his cheekbone and was initially thought to have been concussed during Ireland's win over the Pacific Islands last Sunday, but that's not exactly the case.

Cheika explained: "He wasn't medically concussed. There is a medical definition to the term and the doctor has to deal with those issues. We have been lucky in that situation in that one of our doctors (Jim McShane) was actually on duty for Ireland that day. There's no way we are putting a player back out on the field that's not 100 per cent.

"There are a standard battery of tests a player must undergo, not just one that's coming back from a bang on the head. He'll go through those tests which we imagine they will show no damage but we'll still go with how the player feels. If he has any doubt then he won't play. If he feels confident then he'll play."

Dempsey's scan on his facial injury came back all clear. If the Irish fullback plays then he will assume the place-kicking duties with the likelihood Warner will be chosen at outhalf. If Dempsey doesn't make the team then it seems probable Dunne will be named in the pivot position with the responsibility for taking the place-kicks.

There was also some bad news concerning tighthead prop Will Green who is still struggling with a neck injury. It has been a problem from the start of the season but he has played through the pain before being rested for the last two games. It's been decided the rehabilitative process is to continue and so he misses Saturday's game.

Cheika confirmed: "The medical staff has been trying hard to get him in shape and he's missed a couple of games in order to try and recover. We wouldn't be 100 per cent what the long-term forecast will be as far as whether he's going to be able to play over the Heineken Cup games."

It all but guarantees Samoan Fosi Pala'amo a starting role. The quietly-spoken prop admitted: "I just stepped in and tried not to let the team down because Will has done such a great job. I was just focusing on trying to do my best for the team.

"I came over last year and played with Garryowen in the All-Ireland League. This year I moved to Blackrock and have been very fortunate to get the chance with Leinster."

Cheika knows the next month will define Leinster's season. "(Saturday's a) big game. It'll really harden us up for what's coming in December.

"We are looking forward to this month because it's going to be hard, straight-up footie every week and we want to flourish in that time."