ENGLAND forward Julian White will sit out Leicester’s crunch Heineken Cup clash against Bourgoin tonight, with Tigers boss Pat Howard admitting: “He is battered”.

Former Leinster hooker Gavin Hickie has signed a two-year contract with Leicester Tigers.

Declan Kidney has named a 28-man Leinster squad for the cross-country trip to Connacht on Sunday.

The big news is that Gordon D'Arcy and Keith Gleeson return to the Leinster squad to meet The Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Donnybrook on Sunday.

Ireland squad members Eric Miller and Guy Easterby have been included in Leinster’s 26-man squad to face Edinburgh at Murray field on Saturday evening.

Borders 29 Leinster 16

Coach Declan Kidney has included former Gauteng Lion second row Kristian Kos and Ireland Under-21 David Gannon in the Leinster squad to travel to The Borders for Saturday night (7.30).

Declan Kidney will look to the prospective Lions centre partnership of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy to unlock Ulster at Donnybrook on Monday (5.05pm).

Gordon D’Arcy will be on the bench for Leinster’s Celtic League date with Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday evening.

There were no surprises in Declan Kidney's Leinster 15 to meet Bourgoin for the second time in six days as second row Leo Cullen proved his fitness ahead of the trip to France for Friday evening.

Flyer Gary Brown has recovered from injury to take his place on the left flank of Leinster's attack for the visit of Glasgow to Donnybrook in the Celtic League tomorrow night (7.30pm).

Leinster boss Declan Kidney has announced his squad for the forthcoming Heineken Cup campaign.

Worcester Warriors 11 Leinster 11

LEO CULLEN will lead Leinster for Declan Kidney's first game in charge, against Zurich Premiership newcomers Worcester, at Castle Avenue tonight (7.30).

Leinster coach Gary Ella has decided to name a strong squad for the Celtic League clash with title-chasing Gwent Dragons at Donnybrook on Friday night.

The Ireland Sevens are on course for the Sevens Rugby World Cup in 2005 after emerging as winners on the European Sevens Circuit, a pre-qualifier for the World Cup, at Sopot, Poland, over the weekend.

Ireland have announced the squad that will take part in two tournaments in the European Sevens Circuit that will act as pre-qualifiers for the sevens Rugby World Cup in 2005.

Gary Ella may select fit-again back rower Aidan McCullen and prop John Lyne for Leinster's clash with the Cardiff Blues at Donnybrook on Friday.

Munster, Ulster and Leinster have announced their squads for the 2003/2004 Heineken European Cup season.

Christian Warner has mended from a neck injury to take the position of shoulder injury victim James Downey in the centre for Llanelli's Celtic League visit to Leinster on Friday evening (ko 7.35pm).

Cardiff Blues 22 Leinster 3

Leinster 35 Neath-Swansea Ospreys 21

Gordon D'Arcy returns from a week's training with Ireland in Bilbao and starts at full-back for Leinster in the Celtic Cup game against Neath Swansea Ospreys.

NEW Munster second row David Pusey won’t be coming in from the cold after arriving in Ireland from Australia yesterday.

Leinster make seven changes for their Celtic Cup clash with Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Donnybrook on Friday evening.

JASON JONES-HUGHES takes another step on an amazing career path when he lines out against Llanelli at Thomond Park this evening.

Leinster coach Gary Ella has three injury worries as his side try and bounce back from defeat against Munster with their trip to face the Celtic Warriors.

THE IRFU yesterday launched a ‘Player Registration Card’ in a bid to develop the game in Ireland.

GLOUCESTER’S pre-season preparations have been given a lift from an unlikely source – judo champion Dave Kavanagh.

FELIPE CONTEPOMI could face an unwelcome arrival in Ireland in a few months time — depending on how Ireland do in this year’s World Cup.

Leinster coach Matt Williams has been severely restricted in the announcement of his side for the European Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

Cork Constitution are still waiting to hear if Ronan O'Gara will be available to join the likes of Mick O'Driscoll and Jim Williams for the trip to UL-Bohemians, who have been hit by hip injuries to captain Aidan O'Gorman and centre Coleman Finn.

AIB League leaders Clontarf travel to Limerick for their clash with UL Bohemians on Saturday while second placed Ballymena have home advantage over fourth placed Shannon.

The IRFU has confirmed that Gavin Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary’s College) has been withdrawn from the Irish A Team to play France A on Friday, April 5 due to an ankle injury.

The Irish A team to play France A at Stade Henri, Desgranges la Roches sur Yon, on Friday has been announced.

St Mary’s missed out on the play-offs despite this victory over Blackrock.

The Irish A team to play Italy A at Donnybrook on Friday, March 22nd at 6pm, is as follows:

The Ireland rugby squad of 23 from which the team to play Italy in the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, March 23rd has been announced.