RUGBY NEWS:LEINSTER AND London Wasps are widely expected to be given the prime-time spot of match two on Saturday, January 17th, for their season-defining encounter at Twickenham - a meeting that potentially decides who qualifies for the Heineken European Cup quarter-finals.
The former European champions already switched the match to English rugby headquarters to facilitate an expected 30,000-plus attendance.
Such is the record of both teams after four rounds, it is unlikely that a best runner-up will emerge from Pool Two. Leinster remain top of the group on 15 points, three clear of Wasps who have yet to travel to Castres.
After only picking up a bonus point in last Friday's disappointing 18-15 loss to Castres, another defeat in the New Year at Twickenham could have far reaching consequences for the Leinster set-up considering they also failed to qualify from their pool in 2007/08.
They host Edinburgh at the RDS in round six, on the weekend starting January 23rd, the same team that ended their European interests last season.
Munster are also awaiting details today of their equally crucial, albeit home, fixture against the Sale Sharks in round five. All the times, dates and live televised fixtures will be confirmed by the ERC today.
Leinster and Munster renew rivalries tomorrow in an A match at Donnybrook, kick-off is 2.30pm.
Leinster's Kiwi utility back Isa Nacewa is expected to be given more game time as he returns from injury but the majority of front-liners will be absent due to Ireland squad training.
Irish coach Declan Kidney last night gathered the extended November panel, with the exception of the English-based players who have not been released by their clubs (hardly good news for Geordan Murphy considering the competition at fullback), at the Marriott Johnstown House hotel, Enfield, Co Offaly, where all training facilities are onsite.
The three-day training session is the last opportunity for Kidney to prepare his players ahead of the opening Six Nations opener against France at Croke Park on February 7th. The squad does not come together again until a week before the visit of Les Bleus.
Finally, and this will hardly come as a surprise, an independent disciplinary committee will be convened to consider if any further action is required regarding the red card referee Chris White showed ASM Clermont and Canadian lock Jamie Cudmore after he landed two particularly heavy blows to Munster captain Paul O'Connell's jaw in Saturday's match at Thomond Park.
O'Connell, who received a yellow card after he was forced to defend himself, was not cited but Leicester and England scrumhalf Harry Ellis has been called to answer for his dangerous tackle on Perpignan outhalf Daniel Carter.
