Cheika sticks with winning formula

LEINSTER resist the urge to rest key players for Saturday’s Celtic League visit to Stradey Park, despite their fast-approaching make or break Heineken Cup fixture with Glasgow.

Despite three Celtic League and two European matches in the past month, coach Michael Cheika is reluctant to tinker with a winning formula that has recorded four victories in those ties.

Brian O’Driscoll, Denis Hickie, Guy Easterby, Adam Byrnes and Malcolm O’Kelly have all endured injury lay-offs, while hooker Brian Blaney is still finding his groove within the team structure after the summer departure of Shane Byrne and the injury to Bernard Jackman. Winger Rob Kearney returns after a back strain and may have an outing against Llanelli Scarlets before the crunch encounter with Glasgow at the RDS.