European Cup: Malcolm O'Kelly has been named in the Leinster team to face Bath in the Heineken European Cup at the Recreation Ground on Saturday after recovering from a groin strain that sidelined him for the Munster match.
Leinster coach Declan Kidney confirmed: "Mal has made a good recovery from a groin strain so things are looking good that he'll be able to take his place." When asked whether there was any doubt about the player's participation at the weekend, Kidney was emphatic: "I wouldn't think so, no."
O'Kelly's return to Leinster colours is the only change to the team that started the recent Celtic League defeat by Munster. Ben Gissing, who deputised at Musgrave Park, drops out of the match 22 with Ciaran Potts retaining his place on the bench.
Gissing's absence is due to depleted energy levels. Kidney explained: "Ben has a brilliant attitude in that he plays through everything. He was very sick in the lead-up to the Ulster game. Physically he just had a stomach bug but he got himself right to play in it. He trained again the following week.
"He played against Munster but it's really a case of his energy levels, that he has gone deep into his reserves (during that period)."
Kidney pointed out that it wasn't a reflection on Gissing's performances just an acknowledgment that with everyone available he lacked the sharpness of one or two others because of sacrifices made in the previous fortnight.
Indeed, the Recreation Ground this weekend won't be for those not attuned mentally or physically.
Bath's injury problems - the treatment tables seem more heavily populated than the training pitch - are largely irrelevant according to Kidney, who anticipates a hugely difficult encounter. He argues that while some of the names won't be familiar to people this side of the Irish Sea it doesn't necessarily equate to a lack of quality.
"It's an extremely difficult place to win. Saracens did us no favours by winning there at the weekend. There are no easy away games in Europe. It is one of the great rugby venues with the perception being of a tight, intimate ground," the Leinster coach pointed out.
"They have the two England second rows (Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick) and are a hugely physical side. They will be looking to win this match and claim a bonus point. We can't do anything about that as it is outside our control. We have to focus on what we can do. Any away win in Europe is a huge challenge."
Leinster captain Reggie Corrigan highlighted the minutiae that the players and management attended to in the week leading up to the last clash between the teams, at Lansdowne Road. "We put a huge emphasis on the minor details that could otherwise be overlooked. It was about getting the attitude right and focusing on the set-pieces."
A turning point that day for Corrigan was the impenetrability of Leinster's defence in the shadow of their own posts coming up to half-time. They repelled wave after wave and were eventually awarded a penalty to clear their lines, having first turned over possession.
"I think that affected the outcome. If they had scored than it could have been a different game," he admitted.
"Another memory is just how physical the game was and the fact that the scoreline flattered us a little bit."
Corrigan is adamant that his side must learn the lessons of their defeat by Munster last weekend.
"If we have the put-in, we have to win the ball. If we have the lineout then we have to secure possession. The key to it all is to retain possession. We didn't do that against Munster, turning over too much ball."
In that respect O'Kelly's return is a significant boost as Leinster prepare to take on what is generally acknowledged as the best lineout in the English Premiership.
Kidney observed that the Munster match offered ideal preparation for this match, not in terms of the outcome the last day but in the manner in which the game was played. Leinster faced a searching examination up front, a test likely to be replicated this Saturday.
One Leinster player who definitely won't be travelling to England is Gary Brown. The young wing is expected to line out for Blackrock College in the All-Ireland League Division One clash against Lansdowne. Brown picked up an injury in November, has sustained some more bumps and bruises and has therefore seen little competitive fare. Management felt he would be better served playing for his club as he tries to recover full fitness.
Bath are not expected to confirm their starting line-up until tomorrow as coach John Connolly surveys the walking wounded ahead of what is essentially the English club's last hurrah in Europe this season if they don't manage a victory with a bonus point.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Hickie; D Holwell, G Easterby; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, E Byrne; L Cullen, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, S Jennings. Replacements: R Nebbett, D Blaney, C Potts, A McCullen, B O'Meara, F Contepomi, K Lewis.
