Cheika urges new boys to grab their chance

INJURIES and international duty has weakened the Leinster squad for the visit of Edinburgh Gunners to Donnybrook on Sunday.

With Brian O'Driscoll, Ciaran Potts and Bernard Jackman on the treatment table, coach Michael Cheika's selection worries are compounded by the demands of the national team's autumn schedule.

Reggie Corrigan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Jamie Heaslip, Kieran Lewis and Robert Kearney are unavailable after a week in Ireland training camp while Felipe Contepomi lines out for Argentina against South Africa in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

There is some positive news for Cheika as Guy Easterby, Will Green and Eric Miller return from injury and illness and are named in a 29-man squad which includes Ben Gissing, Keith Gleeson, and Brendan Burke. Gary Brown, Devin Toner, Ross McCarron and Kevin McLaughlin - who all impressed with the Leinster 'A' side recently - are also in the squad.

"The Glasgow game was as tough as everyone would have seen and we didn't play at the peak of our game. This week will be a big challenge," said Cheika.

"We've noted this game as a priority because our work together as a squad will come into force. We prepare each week with a full squad included in the preparation to games. We've got a totally different approach according to the way in which we plan for this week. Edinburgh play a very side-to-side 'Scottish' style and will test us with their width. I've played with Peter Jorgensen and he's holding up their midfield. David Hewett is another strong player. This is a real opportunity for our players and they know that they have to be in a position to take it."

Regarding O'Driscoll's battle back from shoulder surgery, Cheika said: "Brian has a surgeon's meeting in the middle of November which should tell us that he will be able to return to action."

Leinster (Squad v Edinburgh):

Backs (12): G Easterby, B O'Meara, B O'Riordan, J Hepworth, E Hickey, D McAllister, S Grissing, G Stafford, G Brown, B Burke, J Norton, R McCarron.

Forwards (17): R McCormack, J Lyne, B Blaney, B Jackman, J Wickham, W Green, E Byrne, B Gissing, B Williams, D Toner, C Jowitt, S Crawford, N Ronan, K Gleeson, E Miller, D Dillon, K McLaughlin.