Henderson and Kelly looking good for Munster

Barry Coughlan

Kelly sustained a shoulder injury against Leinster, but, as he predicted, there is no structural damage and he should be back in full training within two weeks.

His replacement, Henderson underwent another scan on the ankle injury yesterday and, according to a Munster spokesperson, is reported to have no more than a bad sprain.

He could be back in action within the same time frame.

Meanwhile, half-backs Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer could be involved in Friday night's Celtic League clash with Border Reivers at Netherdale, though there is still a doubt O'Gara because of a re-opened knee wound.

Munster await on fitness reports on Marcus Horan and Alan Quinlan, who will not be involved in this week's action. However, the progress reports on both are good. So too is information on Christian Cullen, who has been training almost at full pace for the last week.

Cullen, assuming he avoids further injury, could come into contention for a Heineken Cup Final place against Biarritz on May 20.

Munster continue their fight for the Celtic League title. This weekend will be followed by further visits to Britain to play the Ospreys and Llanelli before completing their programme in Ireland against Cardiff on May 27, the week after their clash with Biarritz.

Meanwhile, Biarritz president Marcel Martin has come out in support of Benoit August after the hooker was cited for allegedly gouging Bath's Danny Grewcock during the Heineken Cup semi-final on Saturday.

August, captain for the day in the absence of the injured Thomas Lievremont, has been accused of gouging Grewcock in an incident just before half-time, with the England lock sporting marks around his left eye after the challenge.

"We have received the citation, we are going to read it and analyse it carefully with the managers and the player before making any decision," said Martin.

"But Biarritz is fully backing up Benoit August."

If found guilty, August is likely to miss the final through suspension, although the date and place of his hearing have yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the 2007 Heineken Cup final will be staged at Twickenham.

Although all 82,000 seats are expected to be in use for this year's autumn internationals in November, next May's final will be the first match at the fully redeveloped headquarters of English rugby.

It is hoped the whole project, including the new hotel complex, will be completed by then and Derek McGrath, chief executive of tournament organisers European Rugby Cup, said: "It will be a fantastic stadium and we are looking forward to going there."

The final will be held on the weekend of May 19-20 but it has not yet been decided if the match will be played on the Saturday or the Sunday.

Twickenham hosted the 2000 and 2004 finals, with English sides carrying off the coveted silverware on both occasions. Northampton beat Munster 9-8 in the fifth final in 2000 and four years later Wasps overcame Toulouse 27-20.

Tickets for next year's final went on sale yesterday and the RFU are operating a cashback scheme in which all their clubs and all others participating in the tournament will receive 20% of the money paid for tickets they sell.