Magners League team news: As expected, Brian O'Driscoll has returned to the Leinster squad just in time for Saturday's derby clash with Munster. The Ireland captain had been held in reserve so far this season but is in line to start at the RDS.
O’Driscoll joins fellow Lions Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald – who all made their seasonal bow in Edinburgh last weekend – in Michael Cheika’s initial selection.
The Leinster coach has some interesting selection dilemmas to ponder between now and Friday, when he is due announce his team, with a number of tight calls to make.
"We have a couple of (longer term) injuries, but Brian (O'Driscoll) has come back into the squad this week,” said Cheika. “CJ (van der Linde) was very borderline and I probably could have included him if I wanted to, but I think he has been out for a while and he's going to have to fight for his place back because the front-rowers are going quite well.
“We decided that it was best to give him another week to get his scrummaging right and make sure everything's all healed, but it's all going well for him. It's good that we have got good selection to choose from.”
With regards O’Driscoll, the coach is aware of the player’s long break but is still confident he can slot into this type of encounter.
"We would have liked Brian to play this weekend, but it's a long season and he has got enough experience now to play these kind of games fresh after a long break,” added Cheika.
“He will have some rustiness, there's no doubt. We're not going to expect him to go out there and win the game on his own, but he'll get a good run-out in this fixture and he's going to be up against some quality opposition. And it will be very good for him to get his first start at a high level.”
The arrival of Nathan Hines has added to his options in the secondrow but with Leo Cullen and Mal O’Kelly also showing good form this season, Cheika is going to have to disappoint one of the three.
And with Isa Nacewa and Rob Kearney both vying for the fullback jersey, how Cheika accommodates both in an attacking back three remains to be seen.
Munster coach Tony McGahan has yet to unveil his initial selection but won’t be able to call upon the services of the injured Barry Murphy. Alan Quinlan has a neck injury and is also deemed to be a doubt for the game.
McGahan does have a number of frontliners itching to return with Peter Stringer, Paul O’Connell, Jerry Flannery, Niall Ronan and Paul Warwick all likely to be named in the squad.
Keith Earls, a late withdrawal last week, has been given a clean bill of health while new recruit Jean de Villiers is expected to start his first Leinster-Munster derby
"The two matches against Munster are the highlights of your season,” added Cheika. “For me as a foreigner who has come to understand the rivalry, it's a real classic. You don't find these types of rivalries in many other places.”
“What we have to is break the tit-for-tat nature of this encounter. They win and then we win, we win two and then they win two. If we want to be successful on Saturday then we'll need to break that cycle because I want us to be the team that's mentally angrier and wants to come back and win the match even though we won the last time. Last time means nothing."
Elsewhere, Ryan Caldwell returns to the Ulster squad for this weekend’s match against the Scarlets after overcoming the ankle injury that stymied the start to his season.
Stephen Ferris is also included after his late withdrawal from last weekend’s win over Connacht.
Caldwell has not featured for Brian McLaughlin’s side since the opening day defeat to the Dragons. The second row has been named in a 26-man selection for Friday’s game at Ravenhill with Tamaiti Houra, Niall O’Connor and Mark McCrea also called up.
Having blown hot and cold to date, McLaughlin is looking for greater consistency as he attempts to build a side capable of challenging for honours.
“We are making progress and are starting to play good, strong rugby, but we have a bit of distance to go yet,” he said today. “There are still improvements to be made and skills to be perfected, but we will continue to work and improve and fight our corner every week.
McLaughlin will have his starting XV on Thursday afternoon.
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