Brian O’Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald could both feature in Leinster’s Magners League inter-provincial encounter with Connacht at the Sportsground on Saturday (6.05pm).
Fitzgerald picked up a knock to his hip during Leinster’s hard fought 25-23 victory over Saracens at Wembley Stadium in the Heineken Cup. An x-ray on Monday afternoon revealed he had suffered bruising and he is expected to return to training on Thursday.
Despite apparently being close to fitness, Fitzgerald has not been named in Declan Kidney’s initial Ireland squad for the November International matches though the Ireland coach has said that there is scope to adjust its composition during the series.
Ireland captain O’Driscoll’s hamstring strain, incurred a week earlier in the win over Racing-Metro, is progressing well and he has not been ruled out of the Connacht game at this stage.
Leo Cullen is also in contention to feature after making his first appearance in six months as a substitute during Leinster’s victory in London. Jonathan Sexton – who missed several early season games – also came through the weekend unscathed.
Ed O’Donoghue (knee) is making good progress but is unlikely to feature this weekend.
The team will be announced on Friday afternoon.
