Another League Derby Looms For Leinster
The Leinster squad stepped up their preparations for Saturday’s Magners League derby match against Ulster, with a training session at UCD on Monday evening.
There were no fresh injury concerns for the province following on from their 17-10 Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Leicester Tigers.
Gordon D’Arcy (shoulder), try scorer Isa Nacewa (foot) and Brian O’Driscoll (nose) are expected to resume training after picking up minor knocks at the weekend.
Knee injury victim Shane Jennings returned to training last week and it is hoped that the Ireland flanker will be in contention for selection for Saturday’s derby clash.
The in-form Nacewa has now accumulated 142 points, including four tries, in this season’s Magners League.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Sexton’s 12 point haul against Leicester pushed him past the 500-point mark in Leinster colours and 163 of those points have come so far this season in 14 games.
Fourth-placed Leinster currently lie three points adrift of Ulster, who occupy second position in the Magners League table. The Leinster team and replacements will be announced on Friday.
Saturday night will be a specially-themed ‘Ladies Night’ at the RDS with proceeds going to Action Breast Cancer, one of Leinster’s four official charities this season.
There will be a pre-match and post-match event in the Serpentine Hall at the RDS, taking place around Leinster’s interprovincial encounter with Ulster.
There will also be lots of activities happening in the grounds, including free tasters of strawberries and cream kindly provided by Superquinn for the ladies.
Leinster are also looking for ladies to pick the music for the night – check out the Leinster Facebook page and leave your choice.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Give Breast Cancer The Boot’ and an exclusively designed Leinster Supporters Club t-shirt will be on sale on the night for just €;20. All proceeds from the sale of the t-shirt will go directly to Action Breast Cancer.
Ladies are encouraged to don their best blue outfits on the night and there will be a best dressed ‘blue belle’, which is sponsored by Bank of Ireland.
The pre-match bash will kick off from 6:30pm in the Serpentine Hall where ladies will be treated to strawberries and cream, a glass or two of champagne, live music and some pampering with mini manicures and massages.
There will also be exclusive goodie bags for guests on the night and the chance to win a signed Leinster jersey.
Post-match there will be live music, player appearances, drinks and a Leinster supporters’ blind date competition!
Over 15,000 tickets have already been sold for Saturday’s game. They are available to purchase here.