The Irish second row Malcolm O'Kelly could be back to dominate the Leinster lineout when the province meets Montferrand at Donnybrook on Friday for the home leg of their Heineken Cup Pool four match.
O'Kelly was missed for his set-piece work in France when he failed to make the journey after suffering a back spasm in Leinster's previous game against Scottish Borders. But yesterday O'Kelly took part in a full run-out at Old Belvedere with the rest of the Leinster team.
Nathan Spooner also took part in the training session but doubts continue to surround the Australian's fitness for a full European Cup game. Spooner had been out of the game for some months with a shoulder injury but came on with seven minutes of normal time remaining last week to set up the match winning try for Denis Hickie.
The other Leinster injury concern, backrow Keith Gleeson, also came through last weekend intact despite carrying an ankle injury into the match.
Otherwise, winger Gordon D'Arcy remains the only player of those who played last week unavailable through injury.
The Leinster team, who, at the halfway stage, are only one of four remaining sides along with Gloucester, Toulouse and Bourgoin with 100 per cent records, will be announced tomorrow.
Munster have also put off their team selection until today for their away leg to Italian side Viadana. The good news for coach Alan Gaffney is that both winger John Kelly and Dominic Crotty are available for selection.
Kelly has been out of the game since he damaged his knee, having come off the Irish bench for winger Denis Hickie when Ireland defeated Australia in last month's international at Lansdowne Road, while the broken bone Crotty sustained in his hand playing for his club Garryowen has mended.
Another unwanted diversion for Munster is the disciplinary hearing that squad member Denis Leamy faces today following a citing charge by Old Belvedere.
The backrow is just one of four players to be cited after a recent fractious AIB All-Ireland League match involving UCC and Old Belvedere, the other three players being from Old Belvedere.
The hearing is due to take place tonight after the Munster team has been selected. Munster expect Leamy to be exonerated.
Ulster announce their team today to face Biarritz in their must win away fixture. The side came through their match at Ravenhill last Friday virtually unscathed except for centre Ryan Constable, who left the pitch early in the game with concussion, which requires a mandatory three-week lay-off.
Connacht will select their side to face Narbonne tomorrow. The province reports no injuries from last week with prop Dan McFarland and hooker Marnus Uijs coming back into contention.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
EUROPEAN CUP ROUND FOUR
FRIDAY
Pool 3 - Llanelli v Sale Sharks, Stradey Park 7.30; Glasgow Rugby v Bourgoin, Hughenden 7.30; Pool 4 - Leinster v Montferrand, Donnybrook 7.35.
SATURDAY
Pool 1 - Leicester Tigers v Beziers, Welford Road 2.45; Neath v Amatori & Calvisano, The Gnoll 2.30; Pool 2 - Viadana v Munster, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella 6.00; Perpignan v Gloucester, Stade Aime Giral 3.00; Pool 6 - Biarritz Olympique v Ulster, Parc des Sports Aguilera 3.00.
SUNDAY
Pool 4 - Bristol Shoguns v Swansea, Memorial Stadium, 3.00; Pool 5 - London Irish v Newport, Madjeski Stadium 3.00; Toulouse v Edinburh Rugby, Stade Toulousain, 2.00; Pool 6 - Cardiff v Northampton Saints, Cardiff Arms Park 1.30.
Challenge Cup - Connacht v Narnonne, Corinthian Park 3.00.
