Celtic League news:Brian O'Driscoll could have been showcasing his talents on the global stage of Saint Denis this weekend but Firhill, home to Patrick Thistle FC, will have to suffice. O'Driscoll returns to Leinster colours, one week ahead of schedule, for Friday's suddenly vital Magners Celtic League trip to Glasgow.
Considering Leinster's decent early-season form was rendered null and void by a nightmarish 52-23 defeat at the hands of an understrength Llanelli at the RDS last Friday, the captain's presence provides the perfect confidence boost.
Mal O'Kelly is also available after a largely watching brief at the World Cup.
Due to a mounting injury list both players are certainties to start. Lock Trevor Hogan has been ruled out, potentially until the New Year, after undergoing knee cartilage surgery, while winger Gary Brown is out with a foot injury.
Stand-in captain Leo Cullen and scrumhalf Chris Whitaker (ongoing ankle problem) are also rated doubtful. This leaves Academy graduates Devin Toner and Cillian Willis in line for starting roles.
Fergus McFadden should make way for O'Driscoll at centre with one from three fringe players - McFadden, Ross McCarron or Fionn Carr - set to replace Brown.
In the wake of such a convincing home defeat, coach Michael Cheika couldn't have received a better fillip than the return of Ireland's most capped (91) player and leading try (31) scorer.
"They've been around for training and I suppose it's a bit of a restart for them as it's the first time they will have played with the new players who have joined the squad," said Cheika.
"The players who were away at the World Cup have shown a real hunger to get back and play for Leinster and it will be a further boost when the other players join the squad for the following game."
Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan and Gordan D'Arcy won't be back in harness for at least another fortnight as the Celtic League is on hold next week due to the World Cup final.
Two rounds of interprovincials follow against Ulster and Connacht before the Leicester Tigers come to the RDS for the Heineken European Cup kick-off on November 10th. The following week Leinster travel to Toulouse.
What was Cheika's take on last weeks "blip" (to borrow a phrase from IRFU chief executive Philip Browne)? "We have a number of young players who will benefit enormously from that experience and from the previous week's victory in Wales.
"There's nothing simple about professional rugby and players' careers won't ever go on an upward spiral. The top players take experience, learn their lesson from it and then build on it because we've nothing else to take from last weekend.
"The support we have received this year has been incredible and we owe it to everyone associated with Leinster to make amends this weekend."
Meanwhile, Ulster coach Mark McCall has included Irish squad members Isaac Boss, Paddy Wallace, Bryan Young, Rory Best and Stephen Ferris in a 23-man squad to play a full-strength Llanelli on Friday in Stradey Park.
David Pollock, Darren Cave and Kieran Hallett are dropped while Seamus Mallon is also recalled.
Gavin Duffy is set to play fullback for Connacht in Cardiff on Friday but hooker Adrian Flavin and captain Andrew Farley are unlikely to feature due to injury.
Friday
Llanelli Scarlets v Ulster, Stradey Park, 7.10 (Live Setanta Sports); Cardiff Blues v Connacht, Arms Park, 7.30; Edinburgh v Dragons, Murrayfield, 7.30; Glasgow Warriors v Leinster, Firhill, 7.30.
Sunday
Ospreys v Munster, Liberty Stadium, 4.10 (Live Setanta Sports).
