O’Brien In The Frame For Leinster’s Limerick Trip

The Leinster squad trained in UCD this afternoon as the province’s preparations continued ahead of next Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby against Munster at Thomond Park.

Aside from the usual bumps and bruises, the Leinster medical team have reported no major injury concerns arising from last Friday night’s bonus point victory over the Cardiff Blues.

Ireland internationals Gordon D’Arcy, Mike McCarthy, Kevin McLaughlin and Eoin Reddan are all expected to return to the squad for the interprovincial derby.

McLaughlin and Fergus McFadden, who successfully came through his first outing of the season at the RDS, both now lie three appearances short of the 100-cap mark for their home province.

Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney and Brian O’Driscoll all came through their first starts of the campaign, while Sean O’Brien is in the frame for the first time this season ahead of next weekend’s trip to Limerick.

O’Brien could be joined in the panel this week by Australian international Lote Tuqiri. In addition, young winger Darren Hudson (hamstring strain) is responding well to treatment and could return to action over the next fortnight.