Reggie Corrigan and Brian O'Driscoll return to the Leinster squad ahead of Sunday's Celtic League game against the Glasgow Warriors at Firhill having missed the victory over the Ospreys last weekend. Cameron Jowitt is still bothered by a back problem and his participation is uncertain.
Leinster and Ireland captain O'Driscoll has recovered from an elbow injury, and coach Michael Cheika confirmed, "He just had a bad bruise on his arm."
This will be the fourth time for Leinster to play Glasgow, having beaten them twice in the Heineken European Cup and also earlier in the season at Donnybrook. Not that Leinster will be taking anything for granted. Cheika is happy his charges are better able to deal with the demands of playing away from home - or homes, as is the case with Leinster this season.
"We've gotten better as the season has gone on," says the coach. "We've also had some good away wins in the Heineken Cup. I suppose it's about knowing what you have to do. We're in a decent position (this weekend) because with the game on Sunday evening we'll know the other results. We struggled a bit a little earlier. As the season has gone on and we have become more confident in our game we've become better travellers."
While preoccupied with chasing the league title, Cheika spoke about recruitment for next season, just a matter of days after the province decided on several development contracts and also their first-year academy intake.
"Given we came into the recruitment game late last year, we've tried to plan accordingly for next year and how we manage to bring development players through.
"From where I see it we've got Adam (Byrnes). Trevor Hogan is coming up and we've also got Cameron (Jowitt). Devin Toner is coming into the senior programme and then there is Malcolm O'Kelly. I think we're starting to look very strong, mobile and athletic in the pack.
"It's a shame Bryce (Williams) got injured when he did. He wanted to stay for a year and then assess his options. I think he wants to get back to play Super 14 in the future. He improved as a footballer and I think he'll be an invaluable asset to Bourgoin.
"We're looking at maybe sliding Ben (Gissing) to the back row but the situation is he is out of contract in the summer so a decision hasn't been made yet. It doesn't mean we're not going to (give him a contract). We're trying to reduce excess numbers in the squad but at the same time having greater quality and strength in depth.
"We need the depth to be strong when players are taken away with the Irish programme. We've got our quota of three foreigners in the squad now with Will (Green), Chris (Whitaker) and Felipe (Contepomi). We started working on a group of players with a view to next season. If you want to go out and buy a team, you have to go to the (Guinness) Premiership. We're involved in development here."
The players who have been awarded development contracts are Toner (second row), Jonathan Sexton (outhalf), Kevin McLaughlin (back row), Ross McCarron (fullback), Stephen Grissing (centre) and John Wickham (prop).
They are looking to probably dole out one more but no decision has been made. Next season Leinster are hoping to fulfil about 14 A fixtures with a full A interprovincial programme (six matches) on the cards.
Already confirmed for the academy are Luke Fitzgerald (fullback), Vasya Artemiev (wing), James Power (centre), Cian Healy (prop), Cian McNaughton (centre/wing/scrumhalf), Ian Keatley (outhalf/centre) and Cian Culleton (hooker).
Cheika knows the patterns he wants the team to play and points out the players are better versed in those demands than they were at the start of the season. The Munster defeat hasn't forced him to second-guess his beliefs.
"If anything, my belief system in how the game should be played has been reinforced. That motivates me to play that style of game better. We didn't play it on the day. We need to work hard at getting it right, be better technically. I don't think it's risky. I think it's about having good skills, being confident and being able to play at the maximum for longer rather than short darts."
LEINSTER SQUAD (v Glasgow Warriors): W Green, R Corrigan, R McCormack, E Byrne, B Jackman, B Blaney, M O'Kelly, A Byrnes, B Gissing, C Jowitt, N Ronan, K Gleeson, J Heaslip, E Miller, G Easterby, B O'Riordan, F Contepomi, J Hepworth, G Dempsey, B O'Driscoll, K Lewis, S Horgan, D Hickie, G D'Arcy, R Kearney.
