Team check: Leinster make two changes

Leinster

Harry Williams has made two changes to Leinster's starting line-up, with Peter McKenna replacing the injured Denis Hickie on the right wing and Shane Byrne recalled at hooker in place of Peter Smyth. McKenna's position on the bench has still to be filled, pending fitness tests on the hamstrung Nathan Turner and Simon Keogh. Leinster will also bring young St Mary's winger James Norton in a travelling squad of 24 which departs for Biarritz this morning.

Emulating the example of Ireland, Leinster have asked that their travelling support of 300-400 be buttressed by messages of goodwill to their e-mail address at teamleinster@eircom.net or by fax to the team hotel in nearby Bayonne, the Hotel Mercure, at 0033559528420.

ICC Bank yesterday confirmed that they have agreed a three-year deal to become the principal sponsor of the Leinster Branch, as and from the start of next season. They assume the role as Leinster's main sponsor from ACC Bank, whose existing three-year sponsorship deal expires at the end of this season. The existing deal is believed to be in excess of £100,000 and the ICC Bank package will realise an increase of 50 per cent for the province, which could rise higher depending on Leinster's performances on the pitch as the sponsorship includes performance-related bonuses.

Leinster: G Dempsey; P McKenna, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; E Hekenui, B O'Meara; R Corrigan, S Byrne, E Byrne, B Casey, M O'Kelly, T Brennan, V Costello, L Toland. Replacements: K Putt, M McHugh, N Turner/S Keogh, G Halpin, P Smyth, L Cullen, D O'Brien.

Munster

The pressure is off Munster as they have already qualified for the last eight, though the importance of procuring a home quarter-final by beating Castres in Musgrave Park this Saturday was re-inforced by Declan Kidney yesterday. "We owe it to our supporters as well," said Kidney, "because they've already dug deep to support us."

It's also surely worth noting that in the competition's 16 quarterfinals so far, there have only been two away wins. When asked, Kidney predictably didn't express any preference for quarter-final opposition. "We'd fear no-one at home. They're all top quality sides."

Munster: D Crotty; J Kelly, K Keane, M Mullins, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M Galwey, J Langford, A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: M Horan, J Blaney, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, T Tierney, J Holland/J O'Neill, J Staunton.

Connacht

Connacht: W Munn; D Rumney, P Duignan, T Allnutt, D Yapp; E Elwood, J Ferris; D McFarland, J McVeigh, M Cahill, R Frost, M McConnell, J Charlie, M Swift, J O'Connor. Replacements: B Shelbourne, M Murphy, I Dillon, D Browne, C Rigney, T Kearns, J Screene.