O'Driscoll returns to Leinster line-up

Rugby Celtic League news:  They're back. With the exception of Gordon D'Arcy, whose nagging groin strain must have him straining at the leash as the intensive competition for places continues apace, Brian O'Driscoll and Leinster's remaining "Galacticos" make their seasonal returns away to the Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League this Friday night.

The Dragons probably do not look too kindly on Leinster after the manner in which they belatedly got round to poaching coach Declan Kidney from their clutches at the end of last season, and they'll have mixed blessings about the return of O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Malcolm O'Kelly, Shane Byrne and Reggie Corrigan.

At the very least, Kidney's selection this week certainly gives the lie to the notion being touted around Wales that Ireland's frontliners were going to be held back from all Celtic League away matches.

With the deadline for Heineken European Cup registration at midday on Thursday, and only three Celtic League games left before Leinster take on Treviso in Italy on October 23rd, the Leinster think-tank have wasted no time in their endeavour to give every one of their players a game - pending fitness.

Hence, there are eight changes in personnel plus a couple of positional switches from the team which beat Borders 50-13 last Friday.

Aside from the aforementioned half-dozen Irish players released from an extended pre-season, Ben Gissing and Shane Jennings also return to the pack.

It's incredible to think that Denis Hickie, who has made such a sparkling return to the game after 10 months' absence due to an Achilles tendon operation, can be eased back to the bench along with Brian O'Meara, while James Norton drops out of the squad altogether.

Christian Warner moves in to inside centre and Felipe Contepomi reverts to the outhalf position.

Up front Emmet Byrne, David Blaney, Leo Cullen, Des Dillon and Ciaran Potts make way, with the latter at least making the bench. There is still a vacancy for a covering hooker within the substitutes.

Corrigan takes over as captain from Cullen. The only ever-presents in the side will be Warner and winger Gary Brown, scorer of four tries in his last two outings, come kick-off in Rodney Parade on Friday night, by which point Leinster will have used 34 players in five starts and they still have D'Arcy as well as new signing David Holwell to come into the reckoning.

For the time being this is not such a headache, as the province's manager Paul McNaughton revealed yesterday: "At this stage of the season we're just trying to give all the guys a run so we had no hesitation in putting those who are available again straight into the side.

"They're all itching to play. At this stage, virtually everybody will have had a game except Gordon D'Arcy, who has a slight strain and is being kept back as a precaution."

So, as the think tank juggle their plentiful resources, no-one need think of himself as being dropped just yet, but come Thursday Leinster will have to register 34 players with ERC for the European Cup, including 10 front-rowers.

This is liable to leave around 14 named backs, in which scenario, say, only two from David Quinlan, Kieran Lewis, James Norton, John McWeeney and David McAllister might make the cut.

"It will be an issue as to who to leave out," admitted McNaughton, "and it will be difficult for those individuals, but it demonstrates the overall strength of the squad."

Munster meanwhile, are expected to welcome back virtually all of their remaining half-dozen international frontliners from their extended pre-season when they announce their side, possibly today, for Sunday's visit of the Llanelli Scarlets to Thomond Park - the Limerick venue's first competitive game of the season.

Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, Anthony Foley, Marcus Horan, Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan are all in line to make their seasonal re-appearances, although there is a doubt about Alan Quinlan, who has been troubled by a nagging shoulder problem. Jim Williams is also ruled out, but should be fit to make his return the following week.

After their disappointing result in Cardiff last weekend, Connacht have a number of injury concerns in advance of their match at home to the Borders on Saturday, with Bernard Jackman, Mark McHugh, Matt Mostyn and Tom Tierney all considered doubtful for the game.

John Fogarty is likely to replace Jackman while Michael Bradley is expected to make a number of changes to the backline.

Connacht are hosting a Ladies' Day for Saturday's game, with all ladies admitted free to all areas of the ground, including the enclosed stand.

The Connacht Branch are hoping this initiative will introduce new supporters to the team, and they are also offering special corporate rates as part of the day's package.

Enquires can be made through Irish Hospitality Catering on: 1890 550 550.

LEINSTER (v Gwent Dragons): G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, C Warner, G Brown; F Contepomi, G Easterby; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, R Nebbett, M O'Kelly, B Gissing, E Miller, V Costello, S Jennings. Replacements: P Coyle, AN Other, C Potts, D Dillon, K Lewis, B O'Meara, D Hickie.

This week's fixtures

FRIDAY

Celtic League: The Dragons v Leinster, Rodney Parade (7.05).

Leinster Senior Cup: Section C: Clontarf v Barnhall, Castle Avenue (7.45).

SATURDAY

Celtic League: Connacht v The Borders, the Sportsground (2.30); Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues, Murrayfield (3.00); The Ospreys v Glasgow Rugby, St Helens (5.30).

Youths' Interprovincial Championship: Connacht v Ulster, Corinthian Park (1.00); Munster v Leinster, Temple Hill (1.00).

Munster Senior Club League (3.00): Bruff v UCC, Bruff; Clonakilty v Dolphin, Shannon Vale; Sundays Well v Cork Constitution, Musgrave Park; Thomond v Garryowen, Fitzgerald Park; Waterpark v Old Crescent, Ballinakill; Young Munster v Midleton, Clifford Park.

Ulster Senior League (2.30): City of Derry v Ballynahinch, Judge's Road; Dungannon v Ballymena, Stevenson Park; Belfast Harlequins v Banbridge, The Grafton Arena; Instonians v Ards, Shaws Bridge; Malone v Queen's University, Gibson Park.

SUNDAY

Celtic League: Munster v Llanelli Scarlets, Thomond Park (5.15); Ulster (free).

Connacht Senior League (3.00): Corinthians v Buccaneers, Corinthian Park; Galwegians v Connemara, Crowley Park.

Leinster Senior Cup (3.00): Section A: Bective Rangers v Old Belvedere, Donnybrook; Suttonians v Blackrock, John J McDowell Memorial Grounds. Section B: Co Carlow v Wanderers, Oak Park. Section C: Seapoint v Old Wesley, Kilbogget Park. Section D: Lansdowne v Naas, Lansdowne Road; Monkstown v Skerries, Sydney Parade; UCD v Terenure, Belfield Bowl.

Leinster Senior Club (3.00): De La Salle Palmerston v Greystones, Kilternan.