O'Driscoll set for full training tomorrow

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• Sport At 7: Ex-players Shane Byrne and John Sleightholme, and Dublin born Northampton player James Downey, join Adrian Eames to look ahead to this weekend's Heineken Cup final between Leinster and Northampton.

Brian O'Driscoll trained at three-quarter pace this morning as Leinster continued preparations for Saturday's Heineken Cup Final against Northampton in Cardiff.

The star centre and Ireland captain - who attended last night's state dinner in honour of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II at Dublin Castle last night - still has some residual swelling from the knee injury he suffered in the Magners League semi-final win over Ulster.

O'Driscoll will have another light workout before the squad fly to Wales tomorrow and at this stage, it is thought more rather than less likely that he will be available for selection.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said: 'We're pretty confident that by tomorrow (Friday) he will be able to stretch out and be able to fully accelerate.'

O'Driscoll is keen for more European success and echoed Leinster skipper Leo Cullen by emphasing that the squad were determined to add a second title.

He said: 'It's a very different mentality now. By winning it a second time you copper-fasten the fact that you are a quality side.'

An extra player will fly with the squad in case O'Driscoll is unable to play. The versatile Fergus McFadden - already virtually certain of a bench spot at least - is among the potential replacements in the starting XV.

Eoin O'Malley could also fill in should O'Driscoll not make the final, but Leinster are remaining tightlipped about who that player would be for now.

Schmidt also revealed that hooker Richardt Strauss - who picked up a hip injury in the Ulster clash - has also been passed fit to play.

Over 73,000 tickets have been sold so far for the final and it could be a sellout at the 74,500 capacity ground by Saturday's kick-off.