Hogan's return a boost for Leinster

Fit-again Trevor Hogan (ankle) returns to the Leinster squad which defeated Cardiff Blues last weekend in time for the Magners…

Fit-again Trevor Hogan (ankle) returns to the Leinster squad which defeated Cardiff Blues last weekend in time for the Magners League clash with Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park on Saturday.

Ireland internationals Keith Gleeson and Denis Hickie are again included as are Jamie Heaslip, Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney who were all involved in Ireland's recent training.

"We've got a tricky week to negotiate," says coach Michael Cheika.

"We worked on the technical side of things early in the week, so our teamwork sessions will be done on Thursday and Friday. It isn't ideal but we've got to get our heads around it.

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"Sometimes handling suffers because players are focusing on the right positioning so there's a danger of over-cooking which can lead to errors. I mean, we can catch the ball - it's not something that we can't do - but we must improve our concentration.

"We've got to build on the aggression that we have shown in the games so far, but I have been pleased with our defence."

Niall Ronan has recovered from a bruised hip and is available for selection. Gordon D'Arcy and possibly Malcolm O'Kelly could be right for next week's away game to Connacht.

"Llanelli have been playing well and they must be near favourites for the title," Cheika says of this week's opponents.

"We will need to be physical going down there and if make mistakes we won't win.  They will look to try to shut down (Felipe) Contepomi and we'll need to be on our best game to win."

Forwards (14): Johnny Wickham, Reggie Corrigan, Will Green, Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Harry Vermaas, Adam Byrnes, Owen Finegan, Trevor Hogan, Keith Gleeson, Richie Leyden, Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Keogh, Niall Ronan

Backs (11): Guy Easterby, Chris Whitaker, Felipe Contepomi, Christian Warner, Gary Brown, Luke Fitzgerald, Denis Hickie, Rob Kearney, Ross McCarron, Michael Berne, Kieran Lewis.