Not unexpectedly, Leinster and Munster are giving themselves as much time as possible before declaring their hand for Sunday's Heineken European Cup semi-final in Lansdowne Road. Leinster prop Will Green, who departed the field at half-time against Llanelli because of illness, is back training and is expected to be available and named in today's extended squad.
While prop Ronan McCormack picked up a shoulder injury in Leinster's game against Borders and Reggie Corrigan was rested for that match, it's now likely coach Michael Cheika will have to decide between Emmett Byrne and McCormack for a place on the replacements' bench.
Shane Horgan, who was rested for the Llanelli game last Friday, is also expected to be named in today's squad.
In Munster, there are more concerns but again the management decline to rule anyone out of contention. Prop Marcus Horan (calf), outhalf Ronan O'Gara (knee) and flanker Denis Leamy (ankle) all took some part in training yesterday.
Tomás O'Leary, who tweaked a hamstring last week, will also probably appear in today's extended squad, as will hooker Jerry Flannery, who was taken off as a precaution at half-time on Saturday. Deadline for the starting teams and replacements is lunchtime on Friday.
Irupa (The Irish Rugby Union Players Association) yesterday announced their nominations for the BT Irupa Players' Player of the Year. Not surprisingly all but two of the nominees, Ulster's Andrew Trimble and Neil Best, come from either Munster or Leinster.
These are the only awards voted for by the players and votes were polled from all four provinces.
Amongst the contenders for the Player of the Year gong are Munster and Ireland lock Paul O'Connell and backrower Denis Leamy. Leinster outhalf Felipe Contepomi is the third nomination in that category.
Five awards will be presented at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 3rd, at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.
The awards are being held to celebrate the 2005/2006 rugby season and the players who made the biggest contribution both on and off the field.
Few could quibble with the three nominations for the Newcomer of the Year award. Ulster's Andrew Trimble, who ousted Ulster colleague Tommy Bowe from Eddie O'Sullivan's starting line-up during the Six Nations Championship, is favourite to land the award but faces stiff competition from the Munster centre Barry Murphy, who is currently injured, and the Leinster wing Rob Kearney.
NOMINATIONS: IRUPA PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Felipe Contepomi (Leinster); Denis Leamy (Munster); Paul O'Connell (Munster). UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR: Neil Best (Ulster); Mick O'Driscoll (Munster); David Wallace (Munster). TRY OF YEAR: Denis Hickie (Toulouse v Leinster); Shane Horgan (England v Ireland); Barry Murphy (Munster v Sale). NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Rob Kearney (Leinster); Barry Murphy (Munster); Andrew Trimble (Ulster). HALL OF FAME: Nomination for Hall of Fame to be issued next week.
