Henderson back early

Lions and Ireland centre Rob Henderson is set for an amazing return to first-team rugby on Saturday after being named among the Munster replacements for the Heineken European Cup game against Bridgend at Musgrave Park. Henderson damaged a knee while playing for the Lions in the summer Test series against Australia and underwent surgery on his return.

The prognosis was that he would be out of commission until after Christmas, and nothing in recent weeks indicated anything different until yesterday when Munster coach Declan Kidney announced Henderson's inclusion.

He has been given the all clear to resume and it is anticipated that he will take some part against Bridgend.

Ireland coach Warren Gatland was a little surprised to hear that the former Wasps centre was named on the bench.

Gatland confirmed that the New Zealand game on November 17th would come a little early on Henderson's road to recovery and that his chances of participating in that match were remote.

Munster have made one change from the side that defeated Bridgend at the Brewery Field 16-12 last weekend, with Paul O'Connell replacing Mick O'Driscoll in the second row. The latter drops to the bench.

David Wallace is nursing a shoulder injury. If the Garryowen man is unfit, then Alan Quinlan or Colm McMahon will deputise with the other starting on the bench.

Leinster have made two changes to the side that defeated Newport in Donnybrook for tomorrow night's game against the same opposition at Rodney Parade. Full back Girvan Dempsey has been advised to rest an Achilles tendon injury and is replaced by one of last week's try-scorers, Peter McKenna.

The other change is the return of Brian O'Driscoll, who has recovered from finger and knee injuries. Adam Magro, who deputised for O'Driscoll the last day, drops to the bench.

International wing Denis Hickie, who was forced off midway through the second half, has been passed fit and will start on the right wing. It was his great break that set up the first try for Shane Horgan.

The match is live on Network 2 with a 7.05 kick-off.

Newport have made two changes from the side that lost 21-6 at Donnybrook. Ben Breeze is recalled to the left wing in place of Matthew Watkins, while openside flanker Joe Powell is dropped from the squad. Jason Forster starts, with Gareth Gravell coming into the replacements.

There is one further change on the bench, with hooker Paul Young fit again; he takes over from prop Ceri Jones.

Coach Steph Nel makes three changes to the Connacht side for the return Parker Pen Shield game against Sale Sharks at Heywood Road. Darren Yapp is not included in the team because of a knee injury and may not even make the replacements. A definitive decision will be made today. If he is ruled out, then DLSP centre Damien McCabe would make the match squad.

Wayne Munn moves to partner Tim Allnutt in midfield, with scrumhalf James Ferris named on the left wing. Eric Elwood departed during Connacht's defeat by Sale (35-30) last weekend with a groin strain and has to be content with a place on the bench. Mark McHugh is handed a belated starting opportunity at outhalf. Up front, Johnny O'Connor has served his three-week suspension and returns to the backrow.

Junior Charlie drops out of the match squad, while Paul Neville switches from blindside to openside to accommodate O'Connor's return.

LEINSTER: P McKenna; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; N Spooner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne; E Byrne; L Cullen, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: P Coyle, G Hickie, B Casey, T Brennan, B Willis, A Dunne, A Ma gro.

NEWPORT: M Pini; M Mostyn, A Marinos, J Pritchard, B Breeze; S Howarth, O Tonu'u; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony; S Raiwalui (capt), M Voyle; P Buxton, A Powell, J Forster. Replacements: A Garvey, P Young, I Gough, G Gravell, N Brew, J Strange, D Burn.

MUNSTER: J Staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), P O'Connell; J Williams, A Foley (one from three): D Wallace/A Quinlan/C McMahon. Replacements: M Horan, J Blaney, M O'Driscoll, D Wallace/A Quinlan/C McMahon, M Prendergast, R Henderson, K Keane.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; P Duignan, W Munn, T Allnutt, J Ferris; M McHugh, E Reddan; D McFarland, T Kearns, P Bracken; R Frost, D Browne; P Neville, C Rigney, J O'Connor. Replacements: R McCormack, H Bourke, A Maher, M Swift, E Elwood (two from three): M McPhail, D McCabe, D Yapp.

STADE FRANCAIS: S Jonnet; C Dominici, F Comba, C Mytton, A Gomes; D Dominguez, F Galthie; S Marconnet, M Blin, P de Villiers; D Auradou, M James, P Tabacco, R Pool-Jones, C Juillet. Replacements: B August, L Emmanuelli, H Chaffardon, P Rabadan, N Raffaul t, J Berthe, M Lajus.