European Cup: Leinster coach Michael Cheika has named a 25-man squad ahead of Saturday's Heineken European Cup match against the Glasgow Warriors at the RDS. Tighthead prop Will Green has been excluded after damaging a shoulder ligament. John O'Sullivan reports
"We're still awaiting medical results on him, and even though he hasn't made the squad selection, it's doubtful that he'll feature," Cheika confirmed.
He also said reserve hooker David Blaney is struggling with a knock. "He picked up a knock in training so we'll have a better idea with him in the next day or so. We're also waiting on the availability of Rob Kearney."
Blaney and Kearney have been included in the squad, with the medical team optimistic the back injury which kept the young wing out of the last two games is no longer an issue.
Kearney has received lavish praise from Lions and Ireland wing Denis Hickie, who pointed out that the UCD player had done well not simply because of his age and lack of experience but that technically he had been very proficient.
Green's absence means Emmett Byrne should start at tighthead, with Ronan McCormack, a replacement the last day, once again starting on the bench.
Leinster must win Saturday's game and tag on a bonus point to boot against a Glasgow team that have proved difficult opponents for all and sundry this season.
Brian O'Meara has been included, but Guy Easterby should be fit to start at scrumhalf despite losing three teeth during last weekend's defeat to Llanelli.
"In the two matches that we've played this season they have really challenged us," Cheika admitted. "The players are definitely aware of that. They (Glasgow) play an expansive game and they also have a good kicking game. They pushed Ulster to the limit last weekend and will be looking to do the same to us on Saturday.
"We have both our eyes on the game this week. Our focus is on nothing else than Glasgow at the moment. Our team is a work-in-progress.
"We've got to put right our performance in Llanelli last weekend against Glasgow, as they are a very competitive side. They're physically big and they fight for every ball on the ground and in the air.
"We need to develop the consistency to ensure that we can play the game at the highest level. But out of our six defeats this season, four have been by two points, so it's about playing for the full length of time."
Leinster will have a better appreciation of their fate in the pool come kick-off, as tomorrow night leaders Bath travel to Bourgoin. The English side know victory will guarantee them outright victory in the pool with one round of matches still to play.
Bourgoin, though, will be hoping to produce a performance like the one that helped them edge out Leinster in the last series of matches.
Biarritz have confirmed that French international Serge Betsen has recovered from a depressed fracture of the cheekbone sustained in a match against Toulouse last October and should be in the squad that travels to Belfast to take on Ulster tomorrow night.
Connacht will be without Darren Yapp for their European Challenge Cup match against Montpellier at the Sportsground after the centre suffered a recurrence of the calf injury that has kept him out for the past two months.
Galway City clubs Galwegians and Corinthians have moved this weekend's League games back to Sunday to avoid a clash with the Montpellier game.
Galwegians will meet Lansdowne at Crowley Park in Division One, while in Division Three Corinthians will take on Bruff in Corinthian Park. Both games kick off at 2:30.
LEINSTER: R Corrigan, R McCormack, E Byrne, B Blaney, D Blaney, C Geoghegan, M O'Kelly, A Byrnes, B Williams, C Jowitt, E Miller, K Gleeson, J Heaslip, G Easterby, B O'Riordan, B O'Meara, F Contepomi, J Hepworth, G D'Arcy, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, D Hickie, K Lewis, R Kearney, G Dempsey.
